US Urges Pakistan to Facilitate Temporary Ceasefire with Iran Amid Rising Oil Prices

US-Pakistan Collaboration for Ceasefire

The United States has been encouraging Pakistan to mediate a short-term ceasefire with Iran, driven by concerns over escalating oil prices and the unexpected resilience of the Iranian government, as reported by a financial publication citing informed sources. The Trump administration sought Islamabad's assistance in persuading Iran to agree to a halt in hostilities, which would allow for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The report highlighted Pakistan's significant position as a Muslim-majority neighbor and intermediary in this diplomatic effort.

Following Trump's initial threat on March 21 to 'obliterate' Iran’s power plants, he expressed a strong desire for a ceasefire. Shortly after this ultimatum, Pakistani officials began facilitating communication between Iranian leaders and the White House. The Chief of the Pakistan Army engaged in numerous discussions with high-ranking US officials, including Trump, Vice President J D Vance, and special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Both the US and Pakistan believed that Iran would be more inclined to accept a ceasefire proposal if it came from a neighboring Muslim-majority country that had maintained a neutral stance throughout the conflict. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly announced the two-week ceasefire proposal on social media after discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, facing criticism for the manner of the announcement. Sharif's post mistakenly included a subject line indicating it was a draft message from Pakistan’s PM.

Speculation has arisen that the Prime Minister may have copied and pasted a forwarded message. On Tuesday, the US, Israel, and Iran reached an agreement on the two-week ceasefire, with US and Iranian officials set to meet on Friday to negotiate a long-term resolution. However, the ceasefire's stability is uncertain, particularly after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again in response to Israeli military actions in Lebanon.