KARACHI: In a major breakthrough for regional stability, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a two-week extension to the military strike deadline against Iran. The decision comes following high-level diplomatic intervention by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
In a statement shared on social media, President Trump confirmed that the potential military action has been deferred for 14 days, during which a bilateral ceasefire will remain in effect.
The Role of Pakistan
The U.S. President explicitly credited the leadership of Pakistan for this reprieve. He noted that the decision follows intensive discussions with PM Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, who requested a window for diplomacy to prevent an immediate escalation.
Pakistan had earlier proposed a two-week pause to allow diplomatic channels to function, alongside a goodwill request to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for the same duration.
Terms of the Ceasefire
According to the White House, the ceasefire is contingent upon Iran’s commitment to the immediate and safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump expressed optimism, stating:
“We are closer than ever to resolving this long-standing issue. The 10-point plan presented by Iran is being considered a viable basis for negotiations, and consensus has already been reached on most prior points of contention.”
Iran’s Response
Following the announcement, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khamenei ordered all military units to halt operations. While Iranian state media described the pause as a “temporary reprieve” rather than a permanent end to hostilities, the leadership has put the military on high alert.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that as long as strikes on Iran remain suspended, Tehran will reciprocate. He further indicated that safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz would be possible during this two-week window.
Regional Impact and Israel’s Stance
A White House official confirmed that Israel has also agreed to the temporary ceasefire and has halted its aerial operations against Iranian targets. Israel is expected to participate in the upcoming round of negotiations.
The announcement came just 90 minutes before the original U.S. deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on its civilian infrastructure. This diplomatic success is being viewed globally as a significant milestone for Pakistan’s foreign policy in de-escalating one of the world’s most volatile conflicts.
