Pakistan Brokered Last Minute Ceasefire Deal Pauses Iran War

A last-minute diplomatic intervention halted an imminent U.S. strike on Iran, with U.S. President Donald Trump announcing a two-week ceasefire tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump reversed course just 1.5 hours before his 8pm deadline, announcing at 6:32pm Eastern that he would suspend “the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran” for two weeks. The decision followed talks with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir.

The ceasefire is conditional on Iran ensuring the “complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz,” a chokepoint handling nearly 20% of global oil and gas flows.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed a reciprocal pause, stating: “If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations.”

He added that safe passage would be coordinated with Iran’s armed forces for a period of two weeks.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council signaled the truce could extend beyond 14 days if negotiations progress, with further talks expected in Islamabad.

The agreement comes after more than five weeks of war since February 28, which has killed at least 2,076 people in Iran, 28 in Gulf states, and 26 in Israel, alongside 13 U.S. service members.

Trump had warned hours earlier that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” while previously threatening strikes on power plants, bridges, and energy infrastructure - actions legal experts said could constitute war crimes.

Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has driven global energy disruption, contributing to rising fuel prices. U.S. pressure on allies, including NATO members and Asian partners, failed to produce a coordinated naval response.

Trump acknowledged receiving a “10 point proposal” from Iran, calling it “a workable basis on which to negotiate,” and said the U.S. had “met and exceeded all Military objectives.”

Pakistan’s intervention proved decisive in securing the pause, with both Washington and Tehran crediting Islamabad’s role. The mediation reflects a rare third-party channel amid escalating tensions.

The announcement would bring “a big sigh of relief” across the region, where fears of large-scale retaliation had intensified.

Despite the announcement, questions remain over the scope of the ceasefire, particularly whether it halts ongoing operations or only delays a larger strike.

Israel signaled only partial alignment with the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office backing Trump’s pause on strikes against Iran but conditioning it on Tehran “immediately” reopening the Strait of Hormuz and halting attacks.

At the same time, Israeli officials stressed the deal “doesn’t include” its ongoing war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, while a military spokesperson told CNN Israel continues to carry out strikes in Iran.