By The South Asia Times

CAIRO -  Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye on Saturday welcomed the landmark agreement signed between the United States and Iran, describing it as an important step toward de-escalating tensions in the Middle East and reducing risks to global energy supplies and international trade.

The endorsement came in a joint statement issued after the fourth consultative meeting of the foreign ministers of the four countries in Cairo, where they reviewed regional developments and discussed efforts to promote peace and stability across the region.

The ministers specifically welcomed the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran on June 18, saying the agreement represented a constructive move toward ending a conflict that had threatened regional security, energy markets, international maritime routes, global supply chains and world trade.

The statement praised the diplomatic efforts that helped bring about the agreement and stressed the need for all parties to faithfully implement their commitments under the deal.

The four countries paid special tribute to Pakistan's mediation efforts, describing Islamabad's role as instrumental in achieving the breakthrough after months of diplomacy. They also acknowledged the support provided by Qatar in facilitating negotiations and helping secure a successful outcome.

"The Ministers lauded the instrumental efforts of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in reaching this historic outcome, along with the support extended by the State of Qatar to bring about a successful conclusion to the negotiations," the statement said.

The ministers also commended Pakistan for maintaining close coordination with regional partners throughout the diplomatic process.

Looking ahead, the four countries emphasized the importance of swiftly advancing the next phase of negotiations between the United States and Iran, aimed at reaching a lasting, verifiable and mutually acceptable settlement of remaining issues.

They stressed that future negotiations should take into account the security concerns of regional states, particularly the Gulf Arab countries and the Levant, to strengthen collective security and ensure long-term regional stability.

The ministers expressed appreciation to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for sharing his vision for the region's future and reaffirmed their commitment to continued consultation and coordination in support of peace, security and prosperity.

Beyond the US-Iran agreement, the ministers underscored that the Palestinian issue remains central to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East. They reiterated support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the pre-June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The meeting reflected growing regional support for the US-Iran diplomatic process as technical-level talks aimed at implementing the Islamabad MoU got underway in Switzerland, with mediators hoping the agreement can serve as a foundation for broader regional stability.