By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan has officially received Iran’s response to a recent United States proposal aimed at ending hostilities in the Middle East, marking a significant step in ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Gulf region.

Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad commemorating Marka-e-Haq on Sunday, the Prime Minister revealed that he was informed of the diplomatic development by Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.

“Just now, the Field Marshal was telling me that Iran’s response has been received,” PM Shehbaz told attendees, confirming that the backchannel communication facilitated by Islamabad remains active.

While declining to share specific details regarding the content of Tehran’s reply, the Prime Minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to playing a constructive role in the conflict.

“Our sincere efforts are still ongoing for durable peace in the region and the world,” Sharif said, adding that he could not go into further details at this stage.

The development comes as Washington and Tehran remain locked in a tense standoff that has disrupted global energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian state media, Tehran’s response -- delivered through Pakistani mediators -- focuses primarily on the “cessation of hostilities” and the restoration of “maritime security” in the Persian Gulf.

The US had previously transmitted a reported 14-point peace framework to Iran, which includes demands regarding the cessation of uranium enrichment and guarantees for shipping lanes. In exchange, Washington has reportedly offered sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets.

However, the path to a final agreement remains rocky. Shortly after reports of Iran’s response emerged, US President Donald Trump took to social media to reject Tehran’s initial stance, calling it “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE”.

Despite the tough rhetoric from Washington, Pakistani officials remain optimistic. Islamabad has positioned itself as a crucial mediator, having already helped broker a temporary ceasefire last month and hosted a rare round of indirect talks between the two adversaries.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Munir have been leading the diplomatic charge, with reports suggesting that preparations for another high-profile meeting are already underway in the Pakistani capital.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has maintained that the negotiations are aimed at securing Iran’s national rights. “If there is any talk of dialogue or negotiation, it does not mean surrender or backing down,” Pezeshkian said in a statement carried by IRNA, “but rather the goal is to secure the rights of the Iranian nation”.

As the world watches the oil-rich region nervously, Pakistan continues to urge both sides to return to the table, with hopes that a formal agreement could be announced “sooner rather than later,” according to the Foreign Office in Islamabad.