ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that the United States, its allies, and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire “everywhere”, including Lebanon, following mediation by his government to stop weeks of fighting.
“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 X.
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.
I warmly welcome the…— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 7, 2026
He added that Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, would welcome delegations from both countries on Friday to hold negotiations aimed at reaching a “conclusive agreement”.
“We earnestly hope that the ‘Islamabad Talks’ succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in the coming days,” he said.
Both Tehran and Washington announced they had agreed to a two-week ceasefire barely an hour before President Donald Trump’s deadline to obliterate Iran was set to expire.
Accepting Pakistan’s suggestion of a two-week ceasefire, US President Donald Trump announced a two-week suspension of military action against Iran following discussions with Pakistan’s leadership.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF IRAN: pic.twitter.com/IZ9qoGpgK8
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 7, 2026
Trump said that after speaking with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, he agreed to pause planned strikes, contingent on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz “completely, immediately, and safely”.
“I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double-sided ceasefire!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
He added that US military objectives had already been achieved and that the pause would allow both sides to finalise a comprehensive agreement.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 7, 2026
Earlier, Trump had set an 8:00 pm Eastern Time (0000 GMT Wednesday) deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore the flow of oil and gas. He warned that failure to comply would result in devastating consequences, saying “a whole civilisation will die tonight”.
Sharif, in a post on X, had urged both sides to observe a two-week ceasefire to “allow diplomacy to achieve conclusive termination of war”.
Trump also confirmed that Washington had received a 10-point proposal from Tehran, describing it as a “workable basis” for negotiations.
“Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two-week period will allow the agreement to be finalised and consummated,” he said.
Pro-Iran group in Iraq announces halt in attacks
Pro-Iran armed factions in Iraq announced on Wednesday a two-week halt to their attacks on “enemy bases” in the region after the start of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
“The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announces the suspension of its operations in Iraq and the region for two weeks,” the alliance said in a short statement on Telegram.
World Leaders Laud Pakistan’s Role
World leaders have welcomed the two-week US–Iran ceasefire, achieved through Pakistan-led diplomatic efforts, praising Islamabad’s role in facilitating dialogue and raising hopes for lasting peace in the Middle East.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the truce as a positive step towards de-escalation and urged all parties to uphold international law and work towards a comprehensive and durable settlement.
Countries across the region and beyond, including Iraq and Gulf states, also backed the ceasefire, calling for sustained dialogue, de-escalation, and renewed diplomatic engagement.
Talks to Begin in Islamabad
Islamabad is set to host high-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran on Friday.
The talks, being facilitated by Pakistan, are expected to focus on reaching a comprehensive agreement to end hostilities and stabilise the region.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, would welcome delegations from both countries on Friday to hold negotiations aimed at reaching a “conclusive agreement”.
Meanwhile, CNN, citing a White House official, reported that Israel is also part of the two-week ceasefire and has agreed to suspend its bombing campaign as talks continue.
According to Axios, the ceasefire will formally take effect once Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz. The outlet also reported that the first round of US–Iran negotiations is expected to take place in Islamabad on Friday.
Separately, The New York Times reported that US military strikes against Iran have already ceased in line with the agreement.
Pakistan, which has forged a close relationship with Trump and is sensitive to developments in neighboring Iran, emerged as a channel for messaging between Tehran and Washington in recent weeks.
Following the US President’s post on his Truth Social, Iran also issued a reciprocal statement instantly confirming the ceasefire brokered by Pakistan. Thanking Pakistan’s civil and military leadership by name, as did the US President, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Syed Abbas Araghchi, took to X and posted a ceasefire confirmation from the Iranian forces.
Statement on behalf of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran: pic.twitter.com/cEtBNCLnWT
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 7, 2026
The war began when Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran that killed its supreme leader on February 28, sparking retaliatory strikes from Tehran on Gulf nations and Israel.
Lebanon has also been drawn into the conflict after Iran-backed group Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, which has since carried out strikes, including on the capital, and launched a ground operation in the south of the country.
