Pakistan’s backchannel clinches a temporary US-Iran ceasefire

Pakistan’s army-linked diplomacy helped broker a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran after talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, with Iran’s foreign minister confirming the pause. The deal pauses fighting across the region, including terms around the Strait of Hormuz, and is framed as a temporary halt rather than a lasting peace, with unresolved questions on Lebanon, sanctions relief, and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Islamabad has emerged as the central mediator, coordinating with Gulf states, Turkey, Egypt and China, with a U.S. delegation expected to visit for further talks.