DND Report
President Trump suspended bombing on Iran for two weeks on demand of Pakistan. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi confirmed this development. The coordination between Prime Minister Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir highlights a unified national effort to mediate at a critical juncture. This civil-military alignment has enabled Pakistan to project credibility to both sides an essential ingredient in any mediation effort.
The request was officially sent my Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif:
Diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the Middle East are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in near future. To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks. Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture. We also urge all warring parties to observe a ceasefire everywhere for two weeks to allow diplomacy to achieve conclusive termination of war, in the interest of long-term peace and stability in the region.
Diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the Middle East are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in near future. To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 7, 2026
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. This will be a double sided ceasefire! 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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
Pakistan played a historic role in ceasefire in Middle East with performing Real Politik, did not stop and did not become discouraged when Iran was constantly refusing the ceasefire. In United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Pakistan did not vote in favour of strong-worded GCC resolution. The resolution was put forward by current Security Council chair Bahrain and the GCC nations and gathered yes votes from DR Congo, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, Panama, Somalia, the UK and US. China and Russia voted against while Colombia and Pakistan abstained.
President Donald J. Trump makes a statement on Iran: pic.twitter.com/9mqTayL0Q3
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 7, 2026
TEHRAN-7 APRIL 2026
On behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I express gratitude and appreciation for my dear brothers HE Prime Minister of Pakistan Sharif and HE Field Marshal Munir for their tireless efforts to end the war in the region.
In response to the brotherly request of PM Sharif in his tweet, and considering the request by the U.S. for negotiations based on its 15-point proposal as well as announcement by POTUS about acceptance of the general framework of Iran’s 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations, I hereby declare on behalf of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council:
If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations.
For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations.
Seyed Abbas Araghchi
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Islamic Republic of Iran
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
Responding the positive development, PM Sharif in his X message said:
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 sagacious gesture and extend deepest gratitude to the leadership of both the countries and invite their delegations to Islamabad on Friday, 10th April 2026, to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes. Both parties have displayed remarkable wisdom and understanding and have remained constructively engaged in furthering the cause of peace and stability. We earnestly hope, that the ‘Islamabad Talks’ succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in coming days!
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
Foreign affairs expert Dr. Shazia Anwer Cheema, when contacted for comment on this historic development, was of the view that it marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough, reflecting the growing role of regional actors in de-escalating global conflicts.
Chief Editor of DND News Agency senior journalist Agha Iqrar Haroon while commenting to this development said:
In a region long defined by cycles of escalation and fragile truces, a rare window for peace has emerged—one shaped not by battlefield victories, but by persistent diplomacy. The reported decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend bombing operations against Iran for two weeks, coupled with Iran’s conditional willingness to halt defensive actions and facilitate limited passage through the Strait of Hormuz, signals a potentially pivotal moment in the Middle East crisis. At the center of this development stands Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s direct appeal for a temporary pause reflects a calculated and pragmatic approach to conflict resolution. Rather than succumbing to the prevailing momentum of confrontation, Pakistan has chosen to press for time—time for diplomacy to breathe, for negotiations to mature, and for tempers to cool. The two-week window may appear modest, but in the context of an escalating war, it is both significant and strategic.
What distinguishes Pakistan’s role is its persistence despite repeated setbacks. Iran had earlier shown reluctance to entertain ceasefire proposals without firm guarantees, yet Islamabad did not retreat. Instead, it recalibrated its approach, engaging both Washington and Tehran while maintaining a delicate balance in international forums. Its decision to abstain from a strongly worded Gulf Cooperation Council-backed resolution at the United Nations Security Council underscores a commitment to neutrality aimed at preserving space for dialogue rather than deepening divisions.
The coordination between Prime Minister Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir highlights a unified national effort to mediate at a critical juncture. This civil-military alignment has enabled Pakistan to project credibility to both sides—an essential ingredient in any mediation effort.
Equally important is the reciprocal nature of the current pause. The United States has indicated that its military objectives have largely been achieved and has expressed readiness to negotiate based on overlapping proposals from both sides. Iran, in turn, has linked its restraint to the cessation of attacks and has offered conditional cooperation on the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. These parallel signals suggest that the groundwork for a broader agreement may already be in place.
However, this moment remains fragile. A two-week suspension is not peace; it is an opportunity. The success of this initiative will depend on whether all parties use this time constructively—moving from maximalist positions toward workable compromises. Any miscalculation could quickly unravel the progress achieved.
Pakistan’s role in facilitating this pause reflects a form of realpolitik that is often understated but highly effective. It has neither sought the spotlight nor imposed itself as a dominant actor, but instead worked quietly to bridge gaps between adversaries. In doing so, it has demonstrated that middle powers can still shape outcomes in a polarized international environment.
If this temporary ceasefire evolves into a lasting settlement, it will mark not only a diplomatic success for Pakistan but also a reminder that even in the most volatile conflicts, dialogue remains the most powerful tool for peace.
