Iran-USS War: Pakistan has proposed a two-phase framework to end hostilities between the United States and Iran, Reuters reported citing officials familiar with the plan. The report added all elements must be agreed upon Monday (6 April) for an immediate ceasefire in the US-Iran war that could reopen one of the world’s most critical oil shipping lanes – Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan’s “Islamabad Accord”: What the Ceasefire Proposal Contains
Islamabad has quietly assembled a diplomatic framework that could bring the US-Iran conflict to a halt, exchanging the proposal with both Washington and Tehran overnight, according to a source aware of the discussions. The plan, tentatively referred to as the “Islamabad Accord,” envisions a two-tier approach: an immediate ceasefire followed by a comprehensive long-term settlement, with final in-person talks to be held in Islamabad.
The initial understanding, if agreed, would be formalised as a memorandum of understanding and concluded electronically through Pakistan, which has emerged as the sole communication channel between the two sides.
“All elements need to be agreed today,” the source said, underscoring the urgency driving the latest round of diplomacy.
Field Marshal Asim Munir at the Centre of Overnight Diplomatic Push
At the heart of the effort is Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who the source said has been in contact “all night long” with US Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. The intensity of that overnight outreach reflects how seriously Islamabad is pursuing a breakthrough, positioning Pakistan as an indispensable back channel in one of the most consequential geopolitical stand-offs of recent years.
Axios had reported on Sunday that the US, Iran, and regional mediators were in discussions over a potential 45-day ceasefire as part of a two-phase deal that could lead to a permanent end to the war, citing US, Israeli, and regional sources.
Strait of Hormuz Closure Raises Global Energy Alarm
Central to the urgency of the proposal is the fate of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which a significant share of the world’s oil supplies passes. Under the Pakistani plan, a ceasefire would take effect immediately upon agreement, reopening the strait, with a window of 15 to 20 days to finalise a broader settlement.
The closure of the strait has rattled energy markets, with traders tracking every diplomatic signal for signs of a resolution. The latest hostilities have introduced a level of volatility not seen in the region for years, and the economic consequences of a prolonged shutdown are weighing heavily on governments well beyond the Middle East.
Nuclear Commitments and Sanctions Relief at the Core of Final Deal
The source indicated that the final agreement, should it materialise, is expected to include Iranian commitments not to pursue nuclear weapons, in exchange for sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets — a formula that broadly mirrors the architecture of previous attempts to contain Tehran’s nuclear ambitions through diplomatic means.
Iranian officials have previously told Reuters that Tehran was seeking a permanent ceasefire with guarantees they will not be attacked again by the US and Israel, and that Iran had received messages from mediators including Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt.
Iran Yet to Respond Despite Intensified Outreach
Despite the frenetic pace of diplomacy, Tehran has not yet signalled agreement. Two Pakistani sources confirmed that Iran has yet to commit, even as civilian and military outreach has intensified.
“Iran has not responded yet,” one source said, adding that proposals backed by Pakistan, China, and the United States for a temporary ceasefire have drawn no commitment so far.
There was no immediate response from US, Iranian, or Chinese officials. Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi declined to comment.
Trump Publicly Presses for Rapid Resolution
The diplomatic push is unfolding against a backdrop of mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has in recent days publicly called for a swift end to the conflict and warned of consequences if a ceasefire is not reached within a short timeframe. That public posture has lent added weight to behind-the-scenes efforts by mediators seeking to translate goodwill into a signed agreement.
What Happens Next: The Path to a Permanent Settlement
If Tehran accepts the framework, the sequencing would proceed as follows: an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, followed by a fortnight-long negotiating window to finalise a comprehensive agreement, culminating in formal talks on Pakistani soil. Whether Iran ultimately moves from silence to acceptance may determine not just the fate of the accord, but the trajectory of a conflict whose reverberations are being felt from oil trading floors to foreign ministries across the globe.
