PM Sharif announces historic signing of Islamabad MoU between US-Iran | Pakistan TV Digital

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PM Sharif announces historic signing of Islamabad MoU between US-Iran

Published: June 17, 2026 | 23:40 GMT | by Web Desk

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the historic electronic signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran.

"The Memorandum has been signed by honourable Presidents of both the countries and also endorsed by me as the mediator," PM Sharif said in a post on X.

The premier said that the signing of the agreement at the highest level demonstrated the “commitment of both sides to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.”

“Islamabad MoU shall enter into force with immediate effect and as a first step, Islamic Republic of Iran will instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States of America will immediately lift the naval blockade,” the premier said.

Along with the support of co-mediator Qatar, Pakistan will host the official ceremony as scheduled on 19 June 2026 in Switzerland, to commemorate this landmark event and commence with the technical level talks, the prime minister said.

He congratulated US President Donald Trump for his steadfast commitment to diplomacy and preference for peaceful resolution, helping end a conflict that could have led to devastating consequences for the region and beyond.

“I also commend the dedication and tireless efforts of the United States negotiating team, including JD Vance, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, for their invaluable contributions to this achievement,” he said.

For the Iranian leadership, the premier expressed his profound respect and appreciation for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian for their wisdom, foresight and statesmanship in embracing the cause of peace.

“I also wish to recognize the efforts of the Iranian negotiating team, including Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Abbas Araghchi and Eskandar Momeni, whose patience, perseverance and commitment to constructive engagement were instrumental in bringing this agreement to fruition,” he said.

PM Sharif acknowledged the sincere efforts and constructive engagement of the Qatari leadership in helping reach this point.

“I also highly commend the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Türkiye and the Arab Republic of Egypt for their indispensable role and invaluable contributions in this regard,” he added.

He made a special mention of Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, whose tireless efforts, selfless dedication and instrumental role were critical in facilitating the breakthrough and advancing the cause of peace and regional stability.

“May this Memorandum of Understanding serve as an enduring foundation for greater understanding, mutual respect and shared prosperity for the complete region,” he concluded.

Trump confirms signing of Islamabad MoU

Published: June 18, 2026 | 00:08 GMT | by AFP

US President Donald Trump says he has signed a deal with Iran to end the Middle East war. "It's signed in Versailles," Trump told reporters as he departed the Palace of Versailles following a G7 summit.

Iran confirms it has signed deal with US: foreign ministry spokesman

Published: June 17, 2026 | 22:42 GMT | by AFP

Iran on Thursday confirmed it has signed a deal with Washington to end the Middle East war, as announced earlier by US President Donald Trump.

"The text of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was finalised with the signatures of the presidents -- now it is time to test the implementation of the agreement," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, quoted by the state news agency IRNA.

Trump has signed Iran deal: US official

Published: June 17, 2026 | 21:59 GMT | by AFP

US President Donald Trump has signed a deal with Iran to end the Middle East war, a US official told AFP on Wednesday after Axios reported that the signing took place during a dinner with France's president.

"Can confirm the signing," the official said when asked about the report that Trump personally signed a copy during dinner with Macron at the Palace of Versailles following a G7 summit.

Iran says will charge ships crossing Strait of Hormuz after 60 days

Published: June 17, 2026 | 21:50 GMT | by AFP

Iran's chief negotiator on Wednesday repeated Tehran would charge ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz after a 60-day fee-free period stipulated in a memorandum of understanding with the US.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in an interview aired on state television that the "Strait of Hormuz will not return to pre-war conditions", adding: "Iran has the right to sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and of course we will receive a fee for services."

Iranian chief negotiator says deal is 'record of US failure'

Published: June 17, 2026 | 21:43 GMT | by AFP

Iran's chief negotiator said the deal with Washington to end the Middle East war after more than three months was a "failure" for the United States.

"The agreement is a record of US failure. People will see it and judge," Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on state TV late Wednesday after the text was released by both sides.

US, allies to make plan for $300 bn Iran reconstruction fund

Published: June 17, 2026 | 18:45 GMT | by AFP

Iran could get access to a $300 billion reconstruction fund under a deal with the United States, US officials said Wednesday as they released the text, while insisting that Washington was under no commitment to contribute.

Tehran would also be allowed to resume oil sales as soon as the agreement is signed this week, while all sanctions would be lifted if a final deal is reached after a 60-day negotiation period, the senior administration officials said.

G7 Summit: US president praises mediators

Published: June 17, 2026 | 16:45 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday praised Pakistan and Qatar for their role in advancing diplomacy between the United States and Iran, describing both countries as key partners in the effort to secure a peace agreement that he said could be signed within days.

Speaking after the G7 summit, Trump thanked the countries that helped facilitate contacts during months of negotiations aimed at ending more than 100 days of conflict.

“I want to thank our partners, both Pakistan and Qatar. These people worked so hard,” he said. “I know them a little bit. In the case of Pakistan, quite well.”

“In the case of Qatar, they were sort of great because they're right next door,” he said, referring to the Gulf state's involvement in facilitating discussions.

“Great leaders there, by the way,” he added.

The US president said the agreement reached with Iran was approaching its final stage.

“The deal we reached with Iran on Sunday will be signed shortly. Tomorrow or maybe the next day,” Trump said, suggesting that preparations were underway for the formal conclusion of the memorandum of understanding.

While expressing optimism about the agreement, Trump said he hoped it would become the foundation for a broader regional settlement.

“I hope the peace agreement will be the beginning of a larger peace across the Middle East,” he said, indicating that additional diplomatic efforts would be required after the Iran-US accord is finalized.

Trump pointed in particular to Lebanon as a remaining challenge, saying discussions would continue on issues beyond the nuclear and maritime aspects of the agreement.

“We have a little dispute over Lebanon,” he said, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel's military operations against Hezbollah.

In remarks about the Israeli leader, Trump suggested that Netanyahu should adopt a less aggressive approach.

“I said, you can do a little softer touch, Bibi. You don’t have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that’s someone from Hezbollah,” he said.

The US president also thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin for maintaining what he described as neutral positions during the conflict.

Trump also addressed reports surrounding the Minab Girls School incident in southern Iran, which became a flashpoint during the conflict after Iranian officials accused US and Israeli forces of striking the facility.

Rejecting suggestions that the school was deliberately targeted, Trump said: “Nobody hit the school in Iran on purpose.”

Pakistan, Turkiye welcome US-Iran agreement

Published: June 17, 2026 | 16:25 GMT | by Web Desk

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with his counterpart during which the two leaders welcomed and exchanged views on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed between the United States and Iran in Burgenstock on June 19, the Foreign Office said.

The event will be hosted by Pakistan, which played a key diplomatic role in mediating between the United States and Iran following the outbreak of war on February 28.

During the discussion both leaders exchanged views on Pakistan–Türkiye bilateral relations.

“They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the longstanding brotherly ties between the two countries,” the statement concluded.

Oil prices briefly spike 5% on US-Iran peace talk jitters

Published: June 17, 2026 | 16:14 GMT | by AFP

Oil prices rose on Wednesday, briefly surging as much as five percent, as investors grew wary ahead of the start of US-Iran talks on an agreed peace deal still scant on details.

International benchmark Brent North Sea crude was up 1.4 percent to $80.10 a barrel, shortly after reaching $82.97 a barrel.

The main US oil contract, West Texas Intermediate, advanced 1.6 percent to $77.25 a barrel after retreating from its earlier peak.

China to send humanitarian assistance to Iran, Lebanon

Published: June 17, 2026 | 16:07 GMT | by Web Desk

China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian on Wednesday said that Beijing has decided to provide a “new batch of humanitarian assistance” to Iran and Lebanon in the near future,'to further help' the people of both countries advance recovery and reconstruction and improve their economic well-being, said a statement by the Foreign Ministry.

“As a good friend of Middle Eastern countries and a responsible major power, China will continue to provide support and assistance to the best of its ability,” It added.

He said that China will also further dedicate itself to promoting peace talks and playing a “positive role” in restoring peace and “tranquility to the Middle East as soon as possible.”

Russia backs US-Iran deal, urges Israel to also comply

Published: June 17, 2026 | 11:59 GMT | by AFP

Moscow supports a deal between the United States emphasized to end the Middle East war, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his Iranian counterpart during a phone call on Wednesday, insisting that Israel must also comply.

"The Russian minister expressed support for the understandings reached through effective mediation by Pakistan and Qatar to de-escalate tensions in the region. The importance of compliance by all parties involved in the armed conflict, including Israel, was emphasised," the Russian foreign ministry said in a read-out of the call.

Opening Hormuz will be 'massive step forward': NATO chief

Published: June 17, 2026 | 09:38 GMT | by AFP

NATO chief Mark Rutte on Wednesday hailed the US-Iran deal to end the Middle East war, saying the planned reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, would be a "massive step forward".

"The restoration of free passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be a massive step forward, and I know that many allies, through the initiative led by France and the United Kingdom, are ready to support," Rutte told a press conference in Brussels.

Switzerland says the Iran-US Memorandum signing to take place in Bürgenstock

Published: June 17, 2026 | 08:51 GMT | by Web Desk

The location for the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States has been changed. The ceremony, which was earlier planned to be held in Geneva, will now take place in Bürgenstock on June 19.

According to the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bürgenstock is located near Lucerne in central Switzerland and is considered more suitable for security reasons due to its difficult terrain. The ministry said the venue was proposed by mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, as well as by both the United States and Iran.

Pakistan to facilitate repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals

Published: June 17, 2026 | 08:28 GMT | by Web Desk

Pakistan will facilitate the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals through the southern port city of Karachi in coordination with the Iranian, US, and British authorities, the country’s foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, said on Wednesday.

In a statement on X, Dar said the group comprises eight Iranian fishermen rescued at sea by the British vessel MMA Valour after their boat ran aground, and 22 Iranian crew members from the vessel Lenore/Davina, which was recently interdicted by US authorities.

Both groups are expected to transit through Karachi in the coming days before returning to Iran, the foreign minister said.

He said Pakistan is working closely with the authorities of Iran, the United States and Britain to ensure the safe transit and early repatriation of the Iranian nationals.

“Pakistan remains committed to humanitarian cooperation and to extending every possible assistance to our Iranian brothers,” he added.

Several Israeli strikes hit south Lebanon: Lebanon state media

Published: June 17, 2026 | 08:19 GMT | by AFP

Israeli forces on Wednesday carried out airstrikes on several areas in southern Lebanon, state media reported, despite a peace deal in the Middle East war that includes Lebanon.

Lebanon's National News Agency said Israeli warplanes launched raids targeting the Nabatieh al-Fawqa area and the eastern outskirts of neighbouring town Kfar Tebnit.

The Israelis also launched a drone strike on the town of Ansariyeh in the Zahrani area, NNA reported.

While violence has declined in Lebanon since a US-Iran agreement to end the Middle East war was announced on Monday, Israeli strikes on the south have still killed at least five people since the deal, according to NNA.

Iranian tankers exit US blockade zone ahead of peace talks

Published: June 17, 2026 | 04:59 GMT | by AFP

The first tankers carrying Iranian oil exited a US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a tracking website said on Wednesday, two days before Washington and Tehran launch talks on an agreed peace deal still scant on details -- including Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions.

The talks on a final settlement are set to begin on Friday at Switzerland's Burgenstock mountain resort, as news that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen sent world oil prices tumbling.

Optimism that the war triggered by the Feb. 28 US-Israeli strikes on Tehran might be coming to an end was dented, however, by fresh Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon.

The strike comes despite Iran's warning of 'harsh response' to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

Vance says Iran will benefit from agreement ‘if they behave’: Report

Published: June 17, 2026 | 01:41 GMT | by Web Desk

The US vice president has continued a string of media interviews about the US-Iran agreement, again appearing on Fox News to say Iran could experience “real benefits”, but only if “they fundamentally transform themselves,” Al Jazeera reported.

“The agreement is actually very simple. It says one, Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon, two, the Straits of Hormuz are open, and number three, there are all of these benefits contemplated that the Iranians can get, if they behave,” Vance said.

“If they stop funding terrorism, if they stop supporting the rebuilding of the nuclear arms program, they actually can get some real benefits. If they don’t do any of that stuff, they don’t get anything,” he said.

“The United States wins either way,” Vance added.

Palestine calls for global action over Israel’s moves in Hebron

Published: June 17, 2026 | 02:53 GMT | by Web Desk

Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, foreign minister of the State of Palestine, has called on the international community to act after Israel’s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, revoked the Palestinian planning authority in Hebron, including in holy sites, Al Jazeera reported.

“Israel has no sovereignty over Hebron or any part of occupied Palestinian territory,” Shahin said in a post on X.

“Smotrich’s move to strip Hebron Municipality of its authority, including over Ibrahimi Mosque, is a blatant violation of [international] law.”

“These illegal measures are void. International community must act now.”

Iranian crude oil tankers exit US blockade zone: tracking site

Published: June 17, 2026 | 02:53 GMT | by AFP

Iranian oil tankers have exited the Gulf zone blockaded by the US Navy, the TankerTrackers website said on Wednesday, calling it the country's "first crude oil exports in two months."

"At least two National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) VLCC supertankers named DIONA (9569695) and HERO2 (9362073) have exited the US Navy blockade perimeter carrying a combined total of 3.8 million barrels of Iranian crude oil between them," TankerTrackers said in a post on X, citing digital tracking data corroborated by satellite imagery.

The site — which monitors oil shipments and storage — later added that a third NITC tanker had "exited the blockade line with 1 million barrels of Iranian crude oil."

G7 leaders back US-Iran deal, say it’s a ‘historic opportunity’

Published: June 17, 2026 | 00:28 GMT | by Web Desk

The G7 leaders have welcomed the announcement of a deal between the US and Iran as a “breakthrough” and an “opportunity” to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, Al Jazeera reported.

The leaders said they support the deal and “are ready to contribute to its implementation”.

They called for passage through the Strait of Hormuz without “restrictions or tolls” and said they strongly support a “robust and comprehensive diplomatic follow-on agreement” to the deal to “bring peace and security for all in the region”.

On Lebanon, the G7 leaders expressed support for “an immediate robust ceasefire” and for the Lebanese state’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah.

On Palestine, they pledged to “accelerate humanitarian and reconstruction efforts [in Gaza] and the swift implementation of relevant political and security measures,” while also calling for an end to the “violence in the West Bank.”

For earlier developments, read our June 16 live blog here.