Pakistan proposes 2-week ceasefire between U.S. and Iran ahead of Trump deadline

  

 

ISLAMABAD — Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, urging both sides to pause hostilities and allow diplomatic negotiations to continue as a U.S. deadline for potential military action approached.

The proposal comes hours before a deadline set by Donald Trump to reach an agreement with Iran or face possible large-scale strikes on Iranian infrastructure.

Sharif said the temporary ceasefire would provide space for ongoing negotiations, which officials say have shown signs of progress in recent days. Pakistan has been acting as a key intermediary between Washington and Tehran in recent weeks.

“To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks,” Sharif said in a statement posted on social media. He also called on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz during that period as a goodwill gesture.

Sharif added that “all warring parties” should observe a ceasefire to help achieve a longer-term resolution and stability in the region.

The White House acknowledged the proposal but did not immediately indicate whether it would be accepted. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president had been briefed and a response would be forthcoming.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran is “positively reviewing” the proposal, suggesting potential openness to a temporary pause in tensions.

The ceasefire proposal comes amid heightened concern over the risk of escalation in the Middle East, particularly involving the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. Any disruption there could have significant economic and security implications worldwide.

Diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran have intensified in recent days, with officials indicating that progress has been made, though no agreement has yet been finalized.

If accepted, the two-week pause could serve as a temporary off-ramp, allowing negotiators additional time to reach a broader deal and potentially avert military confrontation.