Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian landed in Pakistan on Tuesday for a one-day state visit, his first foreign trip since the US and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran in February.
He was received at a military base near Islamabad by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
During the visit, Pezeshkian—accompanied by a high-level delegation of ministers and officials—will hold talks with Prime Minister Sharif and is expected to meet President Zardari. According to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will also meet the Iranian leader.
In a statement on Monday, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said: “During the visit, the two sides will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and explore new avenues to promote deeper cooperation in various fields, including trade, energy, border security, people-to-people exchanges and regional connectivity.”
The visit follows a crucial first round of talks between the US and Iran, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, held in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, aimed at ending military operations targeting Iran. Under the agreement, the US will release $12 billion of frozen Iranian funds and temporarily ease international sanctions on Iran, allowing it to sell oil and petrochemicals until August 21. The talks concluded with a 60-day roadmap toward a final deal.
This is Pezeshkian's second visit to Pakistan as head of state. His previous visit in August 2025 came days after a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, and was also his first foreign trip after that conflict.
Analysts say this visit is seen as an expression of gratitude for Pakistan's role in brokering the Islamabad Memorandum, signed by US President Donald Trump and President Pezeshkian on June 18, with Prime Minister Sharif witnessing as a mediator. The Islamabad Memorandum launched the formal diplomatic process now underway in Switzerland.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry stressed: “The visit will also provide an important opportunity to discuss ongoing diplomatic activities following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum, as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest.”
