Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday publicly endorsed Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy during a joint press conference with visiting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. “Pakistan stands by Iran for the acquisition of peaceful nuclear power,” declared PM Shehbaz, reinforcing Islamabad’s diplomatic support for Tehran as it faces international pressure over its nuclear ambitions.
The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Western powers, particularly after the US conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites earlier this year. The US and European nations—France, Germany, and the UK—have set an August deadline for reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, from which Washington withdrew in 2018. The IAEA has noted “frank” talks between Iran and European states, potentially paving the way for resumed nuclear inspections.
A critical deadline approaches on October 18, when the UN resolution governing the 2015 deal expires. If no agreement is reached, all sanctions on Iran could be lifted unless the US triggers the “snapback” mechanism, which would reimpose stringent penalties on Tehran’s oil, banking, and defense sectors. China and Russia, remaining parties to the original deal, continue engaging Iran diplomatically.
PM Shehbaz’s remarks highlight Pakistan’s balancing act in regional geopolitics, advocating for Iran’s peaceful nuclear rights while navigating complex global alliances. The show of solidarity during President Pezeshkian’s maiden visit underscores deepening Pakistan-Iran ties amid shifting international dynamics. As deadlines near, the world watches whether diplomacy will prevail or sanctions will snap back, reshaping the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape.