Islamabad is being praised for persuading Washington and Tehran to pause hostilities and give mediation a chance for two weeks.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said he had received a ceasefire proposal from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and agreed to suspend strikes on Iran for 14 days, “subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz.” Trump posted the announcement on Truth Social just hours before a deadline he had set, after earlier threatening Iran with the destruction of “a whole civilization.”
Raja Qaiser Ahmed, an international relations expert at Islamabad’s Quaid-e-Azam University, told DW that Pakistan “enabled the ceasefire by positioning itself as a credible and trusted intermediary at a moment of acute escalation.” He said Islamabad used backchannel diplomacy to convey assurances to both Washington and Tehran and to align immediate interests around de-escalation.
Sharif and army chief Asim Munir have maintained cordial ties with Trump since last May, when Pakistan and India briefly escalated militarily; Trump later took credit for “ending” that conflict. Pakistan also has complex but functional relations with Iran, which helped Islamabad play the intermediary role.
Elizabeth Threlkeld, South Asia director at the Stimson Center, said Islamabad will try to maintain momentum and secure a more durable agreement between the US and Iran before the opportunity closes. “Even getting to a ceasefire is a remarkable achievement for Islamabad,” she added, predicting continued intense engagement to move talks forward and reduce the risk of spoiler actions.
Sharif confirmed his government has invited US and Iranian delegations to Islamabad on Friday to “further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes.” But analysts caution the road ahead will be difficult.
Zahid Hussain, a political analyst, noted doubts about how committed Iran and the US are to a lasting peace. Tehran distrusts Washington, and Trump faces domestic and allied pressure over the conflict and his strategy. Israel has “reluctantly accepted the ceasefire while continuing operations in Lebanon,” Hussain said, and it remains unclear whether the US can restrain Israel and ensure the pause leads to wider regional stability.
Trump said Iran submitted a 10-point proposal that he found “a workable basis on which to negotiate” and claimed agreement had been reached on “almost all of the various points of past contention,” without elaboration. The immediate success of the ceasefire hinges largely on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran closed after the US and Israel began striking Iranian military targets on February 28. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said passage through the strait would be allowed under Iranian army supervision; Trump said the US would assist in restoring shipping traffic.
Other likely sticking points include Iran’s nuclear program and its enriched uranium stockpile, which Trump demanded be dismantled. Ali K. Chishti, a Riyadh-based security analyst, said negotiations will be very tough and would need to address Iran’s economic concerns and possible waivers in exchange for joint security arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz.
Chishti added that Pakistan is also working on a separate plan for an Iran–Gulf states agreement to discourage future attacks on neighboring states. He doubts Saudi Arabia and Gulf states would join a direct campaign against Iran if Tehran reneges on the ceasefire, saying Riyadh assesses the costs and benefits and likely sees direct involvement as too destructive.
Ahmed said that even if Iran fails to fully honor commitments, Pakistan could still encourage restraint and reopen communication, though its leverage would shrink if violations persist. He characterized Pakistan as “one of the few credible actors” that can facilitate renewed dialogue and help prevent a slide into wider conflict.
Additional reporting by Haroon Janjua, DW reporter in Islamabad.
Edited by Darko Janjevic.