The world breathed a sigh of relief as the U.S. and Iran accepted Pakistan’s proposal for a 15-day ceasefire, averting further devastation in the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump said late Tuesday that he was stepping back from his threats of devastating strikes on Iran, moving to de-escalate the conflict less than two hours before the deadline he had set for Tehran to comply, warning that otherwise a “whole civilization will die tonight.”
Trump said he was postponing planned attacks on Iranian bridges, power plants, and other civilian targets, contingent on Tehran agreeing to a two-week ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes in peacetime.
He added that Iran has put forward a “workable” 10-point peace plan that could facilitate an end to the war launched by the U.S. and Israel on February 28.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed it had accepted a two-week ceasefire and announced that negotiations with the United States would begin in Islamabad on Friday. “It is emphasized that this does not signify the termination of the war,” the council said in a statement.
“Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” Trump announced in a post on Truth Social.
He said, the ceasefire will be double-sided.
“The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East. We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. 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 finalized and consummated.”
“On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the Countries of the Middle East, it is an Honor to have this Longterm problem close to resolution, ” he added.
In Urgent Plea, Pakistan Asks US, Iran to Allow Two-Week Pause for Diplomacy
An hour before his deadline to strike Iran Tuesday evening, Trump said he made the decision to hold off attacks in light of conversations with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir.
Trump’s acknowledgement of Pakistan’s role marks a major recognition of the key South Asian country’s diplomatic endeavors, having high stakes in stability in the neighboring Iran and the broader Middle East region.
In a social media post earlier, Sharif had urged Trump to extend his deadline by two weeks to give negotiations space to progress, and also called on Iran to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz as part of the effort.
In his post, the president said Iran had presented “a workable basis on which to negotiate,” and added that “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 finalized and consummated.
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
Pakistani Americans welcomed the ceasefire, saying it would help stabilize the Middle East.
“It is a great development as the United States has signaled its willingness to resolve issues through negotiations. For us Pakistani Americans, this opportunity for peace is a milestone as Pakistan’s diplomatic effort has borne fruit and elevated its standing in the league of nations. ” Dr. Ijaz Ahmad, Chairman of the American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee and Secretary Asad Chaudhry said.
Earlier, the White House Tuesday confirmed it is aware of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s request for a two-week delay on potential U.S. action against Iran.
Sharif made the appeal for further negotiations with Iran via social media hours before President Trump’s deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and respond to his ceasefire deal.
Trump is expected to respond to the proposal, which urges postponement of strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure and bridges by two weeks.
“The President has been made aware of the proposal, and a response will come,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
This is an updated story of our earlier item.
Ali Imran is a Washington-based journalist, who has worked for leading world news organizations as a correspondent, expert and in editorial positions. He is a published author and poet.
