This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.
Catch up: Yesterday’s top developments
Pakistan details implementation roadmap
Published: June 17, 2026 | 23:40 GMT | by Web Desk
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif subsequently announced the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and outlined the first steps under the agreement, describing it as a landmark diplomatic achievement.
“The Memorandum has been signed by honourable Presidents of both the countries and also endorsed by me as the mediator,” Sharif said in a post on X.
He said the signing demonstrated the “commitment of both sides to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.”
The prime minister said the agreement would enter into force immediately.
“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,” he said.
Sharif added that Pakistan, together with co-mediator Qatar, would host the official ceremony in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on June 19 to commemorate the agreement and launch technical-level talks.
He thanked US President Donald Trump, Iranian leaders, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt for their support, while paying special tribute to Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir for his role in facilitating the breakthrough.
“May this Memorandum of Understanding serve as an enduring foundation for greater understanding, mutual respect and shared prosperity for the complete region,” the prime minister said.
Peace has prevailed: Pakistan's information minister on signing of Islamabad MoU
Published: June 18, 2026 | 01:46 GMT | by Web Desk
Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, in a post on X, said that "peace has prevailed," after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the signing of the historic Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding to end the conflict between the United States and Iran.
"The historic 'Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding' has been signed today. Hats off to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Syed Asim Munir," he said.
Washington endorses finalized accord
Published: June 17, 2026 | 23:33 GMT | by Web Desk
US President Donald Trump later confirmed that the agreement had been signed, backing Tehran's earlier announcement and signaling that Washington was ready to move toward implementation.
“It’s signed in Versailles,” Trump told reporters as he departed following the G7 summit in France.
Trump had repeatedly described the agreement as a pathway to broader regional stability and credited mediators, including Pakistan and Qatar, for helping advance negotiations.
Implementation phase now begins
Published: June 17, 2026 | 22:42 GMT | by AFP
Iran became the first party to publicly confirm the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signaling that attention would now shift from negotiations to implementation.
“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,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA.
The confirmation marks a major milestone in a peace process that followed more than 100 days of conflict, military escalation and intensive diplomacy involving Pakistan, Qatar and other regional partners.
110 days (from Feb 28 to Jun 17)
The agreement caps 110 days of conflict that began on February 28, when US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered a wider regional crisis involving military exchanges across the Gulf, disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and parallel fighting involving Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Throughout the crisis, Pakistan emerged as a central diplomatic interlocutor, maintaining continuous engagement with Washington, Tehran and key regional capitals.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a series of high-level contacts with US, Iranian, Gulf, Turkish and international counterparts as Islamabad coordinated mediation efforts alongside Qatar.
Pakistan also hosted direct US-Iran talks in Islamabad, facilitated subsequent rounds of engagement, and worked with regional and global stakeholders to transform a fragile ceasefire into the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 17.
For earlier developments, read our June 17 live blog here.
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