Islamabad is being praised for convincing Washington and Tehran to stop the war and allow mediation for the next two weeks.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump announced that he had received a ceasefire proposal from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and that he had agreed to suspend the bombing and attack on Iran for two weeks, “subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the full, immediate and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz.”
Trump’s message on Truth Social came just hours before his self-imposed deadline, during which he threatened the Iranians with the death of “the entire civilization.”
“Pakistan enabled the ceasefire by establishing itself as a credible and reliable mediator at a moment of intense tension,” Raja Qaiser Ahmed, an international relations expert at Islamabad’s Quaid-e-Azam University, told DW. “It activated backchannel diplomacy, provided reassurance to both Washington and Tehran, and helped align immediate interests around de-escalation.”
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Sharif and army chief Asim Munir have maintained cordial relations with Trump since last May, when Islamabad and New Delhi were locked in a brief but deadly military standoff. The American leader later took credit for “ending” the war.”
Islamabad expected to support permanent US-Iran deal
Pakistan also has complex, though friendly, relations with the Iranian regime.
Ahmed said, “The Pakistani leadership took advantage of established security and diplomatic channels with the United States while maintaining functional engagement with Iran, allowing it to translate broad intent into a practical pause. The main contribution was not coercion but coordination – creating a mutually acceptable first step that minimized risk and created space for dialogue.”
Elizabeth Threlkeld, South Asia director of the Washington-based Stimson Center, told DW that Islamabad will “focus on maintaining momentum in the negotiations and achieving a more durable agreement between the US and Iran before this window of opportunity closes.”
“Even reaching a ceasefire is a remarkable achievement for Islamabad, and its leaders will continue their intensive engagement with both sides and key partners to advance negotiations and minimize the risk of spoiler actions,” he said.
bumpy road ahead
Although it is unclear whether the ceasefire will hold, the Pakistani Prime Minister is optimistic. Sharif confirmed that his government has invited the US and Iranian delegations to Islamabad on Friday “to further negotiate a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes”.
But paving the way for a solution through dialogue between America, Israel and Iran may not be easier said than done.
“Negotiations will not be easy for Islamabad, but the ceasefire is a positive first step. We will see how long the ceasefire will last,” political analyst Zahid Hussain told DW.
“Questions remain about how serious Iran and the US are about pursuing a lasting peace. Tehran remains distrustful of Washington, and President Trump faces growing pressure to end the war amid criticism that Washington has miscalculated its strategy. In addition to domestic challenges, he is also dealing with concerns raised by Western allies,” Hussein said, stressing that Israel “reluctantly accepted the ceasefire while continuing operations in Lebanon Is.”
Hussein underlined, “It remains uncertain whether the US will be able to restrain Israel and ensure that a ceasefire leads to broader regional stability.”
Who can spoil the ceasefire?
Trump said Iran has presented a 10-point proposal and that he believes it is “a practical basis for dialogue.” The US leader also claimed that “almost all the various points of contention from the past” have already been agreed upon, but did not elaborate.
The success of the ceasefire – both short and long term – largely depends on the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which was closed by the hardline Iranian regime on February 28 after the US and Israel launched attacks on its military and leadership targets.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be allowed under Iranian military supervision, while Trump says the US will help build up shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
There are likely to be several other sticking points for any talks between US and Iranian representatives. One of these would be Iran’s nuclear program and its enriched uranium reserves, which Trump has said should be dismantled.
Riyadh-based security analyst Ali K. “This will be a very difficult conversation,” Chishti told DW. “Iran’s economic issues will also be taken into account in the talks. [a promise for] “Some form of concession to Tehran in exchange for joint security of the Strait of Hormuz.”
Pakistan ‘one of the few credible actors’ for diplomacy
Chishti said Islamabad is also working on “a separate plan for the Iran-Gulf states agreement” to ensure that Tehran will not attack its neighbors in the future. However, he does not think Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states will become directly involved in the conflict if Iran withdraws from the ceasefire agreement. “There is an understanding in Riyadh about the cost and benefit scenario. It would be more disastrous for the Saudis to get involved in a campaign against Iran,” he said.
Ahmed’s view is that even if Iran does not live up to commitments, Pakistan still has the possibility to encourage restraint and maintain space to facilitate renewed talks. “That said, its effectiveness depends on the willingness of both sides to engage in good faith. If violations continue, Pakistan’s leverage is naturally reduced, yet it can serve as one of the few credible actors capable of reopening communications and preventing a descent into broader conflict.”
Additional reporting by DW reporter Haroon Janjua in Islamabad.
Edited by: Darko Janjevic