Pakistan Joins Last-Ditch Push to Halt Iran-US War
News Desk
Islamabad: A narrow diplomatic window is closing as Pakistan and other regional players intensify backchannel efforts to secure a temporary ceasefire between Iran and the United States, amid fears of a major escalation that could destabilise global energy supplies.
According to a report by Axios, mediators including Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey are racing to broker a proposed 45-day truce that could create space for negotiations toward a permanent end to the conflict. However, officials familiar with the talks caution that prospects for even a limited breakthrough within the next 48 hours remain uncertain.
The urgency has been heightened by warnings from Donald Trump, who has set a hard deadline for Tehran, signalling potential strikes on critical infrastructure if no agreement is reached. The threat comes as military plans for expanded US-Israeli operations are reportedly ready, targeting key Iranian energy sites.
The conflict, now in its sixth week, began after joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran, prompting retaliatory actions by Tehran, including moves to restrict access through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for a significant share of global oil and gas flows.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/oil-could-hit-150-if-hormuz-stays-shut-analysts-warn/
Diplomatic channels remain active despite public posturing. Sources say indirect communication is ongoing between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with mediators attempting to bridge gaps over key demands.
The proposed framework under discussion involves a two-phase approach: an initial ceasefire lasting up to 45 days, potentially extendable, followed by negotiations on a comprehensive settlement. Core sticking points include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the future of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile.
Mediators are also exploring interim confidence-building steps, such as partial restoration of maritime access and limited nuclear concessions, alongside guarantees from Washington to ensure any truce would not collapse into renewed hostilities.
However, deep mistrust continues to shadow the talks. Iranian officials have voiced concerns about entering temporary ceasefire arrangements that could unravel, citing past experiences in regional conflicts.
Diplomats warn that failure to secure even a short-term pause could trigger a new phase of the war, with potential strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure and retaliatory attacks on oil and water facilities across Gulf states, a scenario that could have far-reaching regional and global consequences.
With both sides holding firm publicly, mediators view the coming hours as decisive in determining whether diplomacy can still prevent a broader and more destructive conflict.
