Iran says efforts under way to return to Islamabad agreement

What Happened

On 19 September 2026, Iranian Interior Ministry spokesman Ali Zeynivand said international diplomatic efforts are continuing to resolve outstanding issues and restore the Islamabad agreement, according to semi-official Tasnim news agency. Zeynivand said Tehran is insisting that the other side fulfil its commitments under the deal. He said the agreement was approved by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and ratified by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, and that Iran’s diplomacy remained active through President Masoud Pezeshkian’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS meetings. The article did not identify the other party to the agreement or specify the outstanding issues.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The reported ratification by Supreme Leader Khamenei signals high-level Iranian buy-in for the Islamabad agreement, but the lack of details on the other party and outstanding issues makes the strategic stakes unclear. The framing through multilateral forums such as SCO and BRICS suggests Iran is using those platforms to press its position.

Watch For

Monitor for statements from the unnamed counterparty to the Islamabad agreement, further Iranian readouts from SCO and BRICS consultations, and any release of the agreement’s terms or a timeline for restoration.