By Zahid Shah

ISLAMABAD – In a major diplomatic breakthrough, the United States and Iran have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, with peace talks scheduled to take place in Pakistan's capital on April 10, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday.

The announcement comes just days after US President Donald Trump had set a Tuesday deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the country could be "taken out in one night." The dramatic reversal signals that intensive back-channel diplomacy, led by Pakistan, has succeeded in pulling both sides back from the brink of a wider war.

"With the greatest humility, I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY," Sharif posted on social media.

The Prime Minister warmly welcomed what he called the "sagacious gesture" and extended deepest gratitude to the leadership of both countries. He formally invited their delegations to Islamabad on Friday, April 10, 2026, "to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes."

- A Two-Week Request That Became a Breakthrough

Sharif's announcement followed an earlier appeal he made to both sides. In a post preceding the ceasefire news, the Prime Minister had requested Trump to extend the deadline by two weeks to allow diplomacy to run its course.

"To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks," Sharif wrote. "Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture."

He had also urged all warring parties to observe a ceasefire everywhere for two weeks "to allow diplomacy to achieve conclusive termination of the war, in the interest of long-term peace and stability in the region."

That request appears to have been answered—not with a two-week pause, but with an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

- 'Islamabad Talks' Set for Friday

The April 10 talks in Islamabad, now being referred to as the "Islamabad Talks," aim to produce a conclusive agreement to settle all outstanding disputes between Washington and Tehran.

"Both parties have displayed remarkable wisdom and understanding and have remained constructively engaged in furthering the cause of peace and stability," Sharif said. "We earnestly hope that the 'Islamabad Talks' succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in coming days."

The Prime Minister tagged the official accounts of Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, as well as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

- From Brinkmanship to Breakthrough

The ceasefire agreement represents a stunning reversal after weeks of escalating tensions. Trump had repeatedly threatened to destroy Iranian infrastructure, including bridges, power plants, and Kharg Island—the hub of Iran's oil exports. Explosions had been reported on the island just days earlier.

Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi had accused the US and Israel of bombing Iranian universities and the Bushehr nuclear plant, warning that "radioactive fallout will end life in GCC capitals, not Tehran."

Yet throughout the crisis, Araghchi had consistently expressed gratitude toward Pakistan, writing on social media: "We are deeply grateful to Pakistan for its efforts and have never refused to go to Islamabad."

- Pakistan's Rising Diplomatic Stature

The breakthrough cements Pakistan's role as a key mediator in one of the world's most volatile conflicts. Analysts noted that Islamabad's unique position—maintaining working relationships with both Washington and Tehran—allowed it to serve as an indispensable bridge between the two adversaries.

The development also brings relief to global energy markets. The standoff had driven US gas prices up 39% since the start of the conflict, with the average gallon reaching $4.14. A reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—through which nearly 20% of global oil passes—is expected to stabilize prices.

With the ceasefire now in effect, all eyes turn to Islamabad, where US and Iranian delegations are expected to arrive in the coming days. The April 10 talks will seek to transform the temporary truce into a lasting settlement.

For a region long accustomed to war and confrontation, the announcement offered a rare glimmer of hope—brokered not by a traditional world power, but by a country that has positioned itself as a "regional security stabiliser."

"We wish to share more good news in the coming days," Sharif said.

The world will be watching

In a post on Truth Social, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would suspend planned military strikes on Iran for two weeks following discussions with Pakistan’s leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir.

He described the move as a “double-sided ceasefire,” saying it depends on Iran agreeing to the “complete, immediate and safe opening” of the Strait of Hormuz and noting that a 10-point proposal from Tehran could serve as the basis for a broader peace agreement.