ISLAMABAD, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a telephone conversation on Thursday to discuss the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and reaffirm their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, the Pakistani Prime Minister's Office said.
The call, which lasted more than 30 minutes, marked the first contact between the two leaders since the signing of the peace agreement between Iran and the United States, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.
Sharif congratulated Pezeshkian, the Iranian leadership and people on the signing of the agreement, saying the deal would help restore regional peace, contribute to Iran's reconstruction efforts and further enhance Pakistan-Iran cooperation across areas of mutual interest.
Praising Iran's decision to sign the agreement, Sharif expressed hope for the success of the next phase of negotiations between the parties.
The two leaders agreed to exchange visits at the earliest opportunity and remain in close contact in the coming days, the statement said.
Earlier on Thursday, Sharif announced that the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran had been electronically signed by the leaders of the two countries and had entered into force with immediate effect.
According to Sharif, the agreement provides for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran and the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade as initial confidence-building measures. ■
