Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, on the sidelines of the COP31 Leaders' Summit in Antalya, Turkiye, with the two leaders calling for greater bilateral cooperation to promote regional peace.

The meeting brought together the heads of government of two neighbouring countries at a moment of high tension in the region, and both sides used it to restate their commitment to closer ties. The Iranian presidency said in a brief statement after the meeting that Pezeshkian and Sharif had discussed initiatives to strengthen economic and political ties between Iran and Pakistan.

According to that statement, the two leaders stressed the need to expand economic and trade relations between the two countries as part of efforts to safeguard their mutual interests, including security. The Pakistani prime minister's office said in its own statement that the talks had been held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, and that the leaders had highlighted the deep-rooted and historic ties between Iran and Pakistan.

Sharif urges restraint and dialogue

The two leaders also discussed ongoing regional developments, including the standoff between Iran and the United States, in which Pakistan has acted as a mediator. Sharif expressed deep concern over the continued military confrontation between Iran and the United States, stressing the need for restraint and dialogue to ease tensions.

He said Pakistan was ready to play an honest and constructive role in efforts to implement the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed between Iran and the United States in June with the aim of permanently ending the US-Israeli aggression against Iran. Sharif urged Iran and the United States to move forward under the Islamabad Memorandum, saying patience, reduced tensions and lasting diplomacy were the only ways to achieve lasting peace.

Speaking on the sidelines of the COP31 conference, Sharif also said climate action should not increase the debt burden on already struggling countries. He stressed the need to develop economies without pushing people into poverty, and said countries could not achieve climate goals without proper funding.

Pezeshkian welcomes Pakistan's support

Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan's continued diplomatic support for Iran and its efforts to promote regional peace and security. He said Iran was seriously interested in expanding its relations with Pakistan across a wide range of fields, and expressed his country's desire to deepen cooperation with Pakistan in different areas.

Both leaders stressed the need to strengthen relations between Pakistan and Iran, and agreed to work together for regional peace, security and prosperity. Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to supporting peace and stability in the region.

During the conference, Sharif also held meetings with the prime ministers of Kuwait and Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia's energy minister, the World Bank president and the secretary-general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. He also met the presidents of Syria and other regional leaders, as well as the Palestinian prime minister.

The meeting in Antalya took place on the same day Sharif addressed the COP31 Leaders' Summit, where he set out Pakistan's case for climate finance for developing countries. His talks with Pezeshkian underlined how Pakistan is using the climate gathering to pursue its wider diplomatic agenda, combining its appeal for climate support with efforts to keep channels open between Tehran and Washington.