In a dramatic turn of events on April 7, 2026, the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire — just hours before President Donald Trump’s self-imposed deadline to launch one of the most devastating military strikes in modern history. The breakthrough came not from Washington or Tehran, but from Islamabad.
Pakistan’s intervention, driven by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, is now being credited with preventing a full-scale escalation that could have reshaped the Middle East for generations.
How the Crisis Reached Its Breaking Point
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran, which included the assassination of Supreme Leader Khamenei. The conflict rapidly spiraled outward.
Iran blocked most oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global artery — since the war began. The closure triggered a historic oil supply shock, sending global energy prices soaring.
As weeks passed and negotiations stalled, Trump’s rhetoric grew increasingly severe. On Tuesday morning, Trump dramatically ramped up his threats, warning on Truth Social that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again” if no agreement was reached.
He specifically threatened bridges, power plants, and potentially oil and water infrastructure. Experts on international law warned that destroying power plants, desalination stations, oil wells, roads, bridges and other infrastructure would be considered war crimes in most cases, because of the suffering such acts would inflict on Iran’s 93 million civilians.
Pakistan Steps In — Alone
While multiple regional actors had tried and failed to broker a deal, Pakistan quietly became the only channel that both sides trusted. Pakistan had been the primary mediator between the U.S. and Iran over the last several weeks.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent reported that Pakistan officials described themselves as engaged in “frantic diplomacy.” One official framed the challenge as managing “a schoolboy brawl,” with egos and a sea of distrust making every step difficult. Pakistan was speaking to Iran’s clergy, diplomats, and military commanders simultaneously.
Behind the scenes, Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir was working through the night. According to sources, Pakistan’s army chief had been in contact “all night long” with US Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Under the proposal framework, a ceasefire would take effect immediately, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with 15 to 20 days allotted to finalize a broader agreement. The deal, provisionally named the “Islamabad Accord,” would include a regional framework for the strait, with final face-to-face talks held in Islamabad.
Read more: How Pakistan Played ‘Trump Card’ to Emerge as a Peace Broker in US-Iran Crisis
PM Sharif’s Public Plea — With Hours to Spare
With Trump’s 8 p.m. ET deadline closing in, PM Shehbaz Sharif made an extraordinary public appeal, tagging world leaders directly. Sharif wrote that “diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the Middle East are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully.” His post tagged Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iran’s president, foreign minister, and parliamentary speaker.
His message carried three clear demands: he requested Trump extend the deadline by two weeks, called on Iran to fully open the Strait of Hormuz for the same two weeks as “a goodwill gesture,” and urged all warring parties to observe a ceasefire everywhere to allow diplomacy to achieve a conclusive end to the war.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran was “positively reviewing” the Pakistani proposal.5 White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed: “The President has been made aware of the proposal, and a response will come.”
Trump Accepts — The Ceasefire Is Declared
Just before the deadline expired, Trump posted his decision on Truth Social. He wrote: “Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks.”
Trump referenced a 10-point counterproposal transmitted by Iran, describing it as “a workable basis on which to negotiate,” and said “almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to,” with two weeks needed to finalize the arrangement.
Iran’s 10-point proposal included a protocol for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, an end to all regional conflicts, the lifting of sanctions, and reconstruction commitments.
Iran confirmed its acceptance swiftly. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed Tehran’s acceptance and said Iran would allow “safe passage” of the Strait of Hormuz during the two weeks “via coordination with Iran’s armed forces.”
The announcement came less than 12 hours after Trump had threatened to wipe out Iran’s entire “civilization.”
Israel, Lebanon, and the Scope of the Deal
Israel agreed to the ceasefire and will also suspend its strikes, a White House official confirmed. Pakistan’s prime minister also stated that the ceasefire would apply in Lebanon, where Israel had been conducting an invasion.
However, complications emerged immediately. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied that any ceasefire was in place in Lebanon, though he said Israel would comply as it relates to Iran.
After the ceasefire formally came into force at 8 p.m. ET, missiles were still launched from Iran toward Israel and several Gulf states. Officials cautioned it might take time for the ceasefire order to filter down to the lower ranks of the Revolutionary Guards.
Behind the Scenes: China’s Role and Internal Divisions
Pakistan was not acting entirely alone. Reports indicated the ceasefire came after “frantic diplomatic efforts by Pakistan and last-minute intervention by China, a key ally, asking Iran to show flexibility and defuse tensions.” The ceasefire was ultimately approved by Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
China expressed support for the deal, with a foreign ministry spokesperson stating Beijing “welcomes all efforts that are conducive to peace” and backing Pakistan’s active role in promoting talks, while urging all parties to bridge differences through dialogue.
Inside Trump’s own camp, the decision was not unanimous. Netanyahu, the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and allies like Senator Lindsey Graham had urged Trump to reject any proposal unless Iran made major concessions. Meanwhile, members of Trump’s team, including Vice President Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff, advised him to take a deal if one could be secured.
Markets React — Oil Plunges, Stocks Surge
Financial markets responded instantly to the news. Oil prices plunged after Trump announced he would suspend attacks for two weeks if Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. crude sliding 8% to around $103 per barrel, after having traded as high as $117 earlier that day.
S&P 500 futures ripped higher by more than 1.6%, Nasdaq 100 futures soared 1.8%, and Dow futures jumped 725 points. Markets had been weak all day on fears of escalation before rallying sharply late in the session on signs a deal was at hand.
What Comes Next: Islamabad Accord and the Road to Peace
The U.S. and Iran are expected to hold peace talks on Friday in Islamabad, with Vice President Vance likely to lead the U.S. delegation, according to two sources familiar with the plans.
The Pakistani proposal involves a pause on Trump’s military threat and a commitment from Iran to open the strait, with the two-week window to be used to negotiate a larger agreement to potentially end the war.
The final agreement is expected to include Iranian commitments to renounce nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets.
Significant hurdles remain. Before Sharif’s proposal became public, two U.S. officials cautioned that although talks showed signs of progress, the Trump administration and Iranian regime still appeared to be far apart on core issues. Iran also warned that the war is not over and vowed to respond to any violations of the ceasefire.
Pakistan’s New Place on the World Stage
This moment marks a watershed in Pakistan’s global diplomatic standing. Islamabad has emerged as a key new mediator in the ongoing war in the Middle East. Pakistan was described by insiders as the sole communication channel in the talks — a role no other nation could fill.
Iran’s own ambassador acknowledged the weight of Islamabad’s contribution. Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan said that Pakistan’s efforts to help stop the war had reached “a critical, sensitive stage,” noting that Pakistan’s “positive and productive endeavours in Good Will and Good Office to stop the war” were unprecedented.
For now, the guns are quiet. Whether the next two weeks produce a lasting peace — or simply delay a larger reckoning — will define not just the Middle East, but Pakistan’s legacy as a peacemaker on the world stage.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why did Pakistan intervene in the US-Iran conflict? Pakistan had been serving as the primary back-channel mediator between the US and Iran for several weeks. As the sole trusted communication channel between both sides, Islamabad was uniquely positioned to propose a framework both parties could accept without losing face.
Q2: What exactly did Pakistan propose? Pakistan’s framework took a two-phase approach, beginning with an immediate ceasefire followed by a comprehensive agreement. The immediate condition was reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with 15–20 days set aside for broader peace negotiations to be held in Islamabad.
Q3: What is the Strait of Hormuz and why does it matter? Iran blocked most oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel began the war in late February. The closure led to a historic oil supply shock, quickly sending global energy prices soaring. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes through the strait daily.
Q4: What are the terms of Iran’s 10-point proposal? Iran’s 10-point proposal included a protocol for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, an end to all conflicts in the region, the lifting of sanctions, and reconstruction commitments. The White House has not publicly confirmed which specific points it has accepted.
Q5: Did Israel agree to the ceasefire? Yes — Israel agreed to the ceasefire and will also suspend its strikes, according to a White House official. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu denied that any ceasefire was in place in Lebanon, though he said Israel would comply as it relates to Iran.
Q6: What happens after the two weeks? The US and Iran are expected to hold formal peace talks on Friday in Islamabad, with Vice President Vance likely to lead the US delegation. The goal is a comprehensive agreement that could permanently end the war and resolve outstanding disputes including sanctions, nuclear commitments, and regional security.
Q7: Could the ceasefire collapse? Yes. Officials cautioned it might take time for the ceasefire order to filter down to the lower ranks of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Iran also warned that the war is not over and that any violations would be met with force. Violations on either side during this fragile window could reignite hostilities.