Says there should be 'no confusion' about the matter. takes aim at 'spoilers' who he says want to scuttle peace deal
Hours after saying that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States. Iran also included discussions on ballistic missiles, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said otherwise later on to visiting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday.
Earlier today, while speaking on the mou in the National Assembly, the prime minister had said: "There will be discussions on nuclear facilities, ballistic missiles,. frozen assets, and we hope that within 60 days the memorandum of understanding will lead to a long-lasting agreement that contributes to peace in the world.”
Iran'sFarsnews agency subsequently reported that officials from Iran's negotiating team "emphasised that the issue of missiles is fundamentally not on the agenda of the negotiations,. the text of the published memorandum of understanding also clearly indicates that such topics are not on the agenda".
بنا بر این گزارش، مسؤلان تیم مذاکرهکننده ایرانی تأکید کردهاند که موضوع موشکها اساساً در دستور کار مذاکرات قرار ندارد و متن منتشرشده یادداشت تفاهم نیز بهوضوح نشان میدهد که چنین محورهایی در دستور کار نیست.۲/۳
Speaking to the Iranian president later in delegation-level talks on his visit to Pakistan. PM Shehbaz said: "I would say with fullest command at my domain that this MoU does not mention ballistic missiles, it was never on the table [and] agenda. The Iranian side never wanted to even discuss it. so that is not an impression, that is a matter of fact, so there should be no second thoughts about it, it must not be misconstrued because there are spoilers all over the world to scuttle this peace deal. They don't want the great Iranian nation to come out of the ashes of war. touch the zenith of glory."
He reiterated that he wanted to "make it abundantly clear that ballistic missiles [were not on the agenda],. ofcourse there cannot be double standards that some countries can have ballistic missiles and Iran shouldn't have. This is simply, you cannot digest this kind of duplicity, so I wanted to make it very clear that the MoU, which has been signed by me as mediator, does not mention ballistic missiles at all. that is the stated position, so there should be no confusion about it."
"Your Excellency, I would like to state with complete clarity that this MoU does not mention ballistic missiles. It was never on the table, it was never on the agenda,. the Iranian side never wanted to discuss it. That is not an impression; it is a fact. Therefore, there…pic.twitter.com/LeB9OojZwo
The premier was later asked a question about the same issue by a member of the Iranian delegation. to which PM Shehbaz said he had made a "very brief" statement about the matter in parliament.
"On the question of ballistic missile, let me say without any fear of contradiction, that ballistic missile was never a subject of discussion between Iran. the US. It was not on the table at all. it has no mention in the MoU if you read its terms and conditions, there is no mention of ballistic missile at all. I want to make this point clear without any ambiguity. above all, if Iran, our brotherly country, has ballistic missiles only for their defence purposes, there are many other countries around the globe who have such missiles in their stockpile so why object to Iran's ballistic missiles? This would amount to a controversy that will generate unnecessary delays. doubts and question marks so in conclusion, let me say categorically: ballistic missile was never part of the agenda which was discussed, it's not part of the MoU and it was never on the table."
He warned that there was "no dearth of spoilers around the globe who are most unhappy. deeply dejected and disappointed" by the US-Iran deal, that he said would lead to long-lasting peace and prosperity. The premier said such elements wanted to scuttle the deal. sow confusion, but he said the Pakistani and Iranian leadership were "completely resolved" to stand together against them.
The Iranian president also similarly said: "Our missile programme was not included in the MoU, as you said,. it shall not be included in the MoU."
He said Iran would have been "plundered, destroyed. ploughed" by the US and Israel, similar to what the latter did in Gaza, if it were not for the Islamic republic's missile capabilities.
The translator subsequently said that Iran would never compromise on its nuclear capabilities, to which he was loudly corrected by Pezeshkian that it was "missile programme. capabilities".
In the rest of the address in the National Assembly. the premier had highlighted Pakistan's recent diplomatic efforts, saying an Iran-US understanding had been reached in Switzerland throughtalkshosted by Pakistan. He said a ceasefire was now in place between the two countries. that technical negotiations would continue over the next 60 days under the memorandum of understanding, with the aim of reaching a permanent agreement.
“Pakistan worked with sincerity and dedication to help bridge the gaps between Iran and the United States,” he said.
The prime minister said negotiations had continued throughout the day. night before a joint statement was agreed upon by all parties. “Today, by the grace of God, not only has a ceasefire been achieved between Iran. the US, but technical negotiations will continue over the next 60 days,” he told lawmakers.
Congratulating parliamentarians and the public, PM Shehbaz said Pakistan's role in the talks had earned international recognition. “Pakistan's contribution to this process is not only historic but a source of pride for the nation,” he said.
Read more:Israeli attacks on Lebanon nearly 'derailed' US-Iran talks in Switzerland: DPM Dar
He claimed that leading international newspapers had prominently highlighted Pakistan's diplomatic efforts. “This positive narrative about Pakistan could not have been achieved even if billions of rupees had been spent on publicity campaigns,” he added.
'If 2018 election was legitimate, so is current govt'
The premier also rejected opposition claims that his government lacked legitimacy. telling the National Assembly that if the 2018 general election was considered legitimate, then the current government should be regarded as legitimate as well.
“Conduct an inquiry into the 2018 election. If there was no manipulation, if ballot boxes were not stuffed,. if people were not brought to Islamabad by force and no threats were issued, then take a look at the 2018 election. If that was a legitimate government, then this is also a legitimate government. And if you are so keen on investigations, then let us start from 2018. If the matter is opened. it will go very far,” said PM Shehbaz while addressing the House during debate on the Finance Bill 2026-27.
The prime minister responded to remarks by opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who had earlier described the government as "illegal". accused it of undermining democratic institutions. Achakzai had delivered a wide-ranging speech criticising the government's handling of political and constitutional affairs.
Responding to the criticism, PM Shehbaz said the day was not meant for raising divisive political issues. described several of Achakzai's assertions as contrary to the facts. He rejected suggestions that development was being pursued at the expense of smaller provinces.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addresses the National Assembly Session (23 June, 2026).pic.twitter.com/X0fspwhltd
“I have always maintained that if Punjab progresses alone, that is not Pakistan's progress. If Sindh progresses alone, that is not Pakistan's progress,” he said. “Until all four provinces are equal partners in development, it cannot be called Pakistan's development.”
Read:Iranian president to arrive in Pakistan today on official visit
Achakzai, while speaking, said that the government’s tenure was nearing two. a half years and “it is time to change our tone.” He criticised the speaker’s conduct of the House, saying that despite his experience, he failed to uphold the Constitution and law and “expelled 14 colleagues from the Assembly through procedural manoeuvring.”
He said that prisoners in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore were all over 70 years old. “Have some fear of God. You have set a record. You have sentenced five people to a total of 286 years in prison. You have also given life imprisonment to Mahrang Baloch. You have supported undemocratic governments in undermining the Constitution.”
Achakzai said, “My brother said Pakistan exists, so we exist. Shahbaz said correctly that Pakistan is not in the sky. Pakistan means Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab. Why do you not consider K-P part of Pakistan? We have all taken an oath to protect the Constitution of Pakistan. You have clipped the wings of the judiciary through your votes.”
The opposition leader urged the government to engage with political stakeholders across the country, particularly in Balochistan,. said Parliament should serve as the central source of democratic authority.
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