Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s support for reviving the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the United States, stressing that Tehran remains committed to resolving outstanding differences through dialogue.

“I appreciate President Xi Jinping’s thoughtful and responsible support for a return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and for resolving differences through dialogue,” Pezeshkian said in a post on X on Friday.

“Iran shares this approach and underscores the importance of returning to that understanding, honoring the commitments already agreed upon, and creating the conditions necessary for serious, substantive and results-oriented negotiations to move forward.”

Pezeshkian’s remarks came amid renewed diplomatic efforts to revive the agreement and ease escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington.

The Islamabad MoU was signed in June with Pakistan playing a mediating role between Iran and the United States. The agreement established a framework for de-escalation and subsequent negotiations between the two sides.

Pezeshkian meets Pakistan’s prime minister

Pezeshkian’s statement followed his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday.

Sharif stressed the importance of implementing the Islamabad MoU and reaffirmed Pakistan’s willingness to continue playing a constructive role in facilitating regional peace and stability.

According to Pakistan’s official statement, Pezeshkian welcomed Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts and said Iran remained committed to strengthening its longstanding relationship with Pakistan. The two leaders agreed to maintain close consultations and coordination over the evolving regional situation.

Sharif later said Pezeshkian had reaffirmed that the Islamabad MoU remained fully acceptable to Tehran and that Iran was prepared to move forward with efforts to implement it.

China backs diplomatic efforts

Pezeshkian’s reference to Xi reflects Beijing’s broader support for dialogue as tensions involving Iran and the United States continue.

Iran has repeatedly argued that outstanding disputes should be addressed through negotiations rather than military confrontation. In August, Pezeshkian said implementation of the Islamabad agreement should resume and that unresolved issues should be settled through dialogue.

The Iranian president has also previously described the memorandum as an important framework for Iran’s future foreign relations and stressed that commitments made under the agreement should be honored.

Tehran signals readiness for negotiations

The latest statement represents another indication that Tehran is keeping the diplomatic channel open despite continued tensions with Washington.

Iranian officials have emphasized that any renewed negotiations must be based on reciprocal commitments and respect for agreements already reached.

Pakistan has meanwhile continued its efforts to facilitate communication between Tehran and Washington. During his meeting with Pezeshkian, Sharif called for restraint, de-escalation and sustained diplomatic engagement to address the regional crisis.

Pezeshkian’s remarks also come as world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, providing an opportunity for diplomatic contacts over the escalating regional situation.

By welcoming Xi’s position and reaffirming Tehran’s support for returning to the Islamabad framework, Pezeshkian signaled that Iran continues to see diplomacy and negotiated commitments as a potential pathway toward reducing tensions and addressing outstanding differences with Washington. (ILKHA)