Trump halts Iran attacks after talks with PM Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir; US, Iran reach ceasefire agreement

Pakistan on Wednesday announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, had agreed to an immediate ceasefire, including in Lebanon, effective immediately, and invited their delegations to Islamabad on April 10 for talks aimed at reaching a lasting settlement of disputes.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the ceasefire in an early-morning post on X, welcoming the move and extending his “deepest gratitude” to the leadership of both countries.

Both sides have displayed “remarkable wisdom and understanding” and remained constructively engaged in furthering the cause of peace and stability, the prime minister said, expressing hope that the ‘Islamabad Talks’ would succeed in achieving sustainable peace and that more positive developments would follow in the coming days.

The prime minister, who helped mediate the ceasefire, also invited delegations from both countries to Islamabad on April 10 to “hold further negotiations towards a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes”.

However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US has not yet agreed.

“There are discussions about in-person talks, but nothing is final until announced by the President or the White House,” Leavitt said.

Israel has also agreed to the ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran, a White House official confirmed.

According to a statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel supported Trump’s decision, but it maintained that the ceasefire “does not include Lebanon”.

Gulf states welcome ceasefire

Members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including Saudi Arabia and Oman, welcomed the ceasefire.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement, expressed hope that the two-week truce would lead to a “comprehensive and sustainable de-escalation”.

The kingdom also called for an end to attacks on countries in the Gulf and stressed that the Strait of Hormuz should be opened.

Meanwhile, Oman appreciated Pakistan’s role in helping secure the ceasefire.

In a statement, the Gulf state’s foreign ministry affirmed the “importance of intensifying efforts now to find solutions capable of ending the crisis at its roots”.

Meanwhile, Minister of State of Qatar Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi appreciated Pakistan’s “constructive role in fostering peace” in a phone call with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the Foreign Office said.

According to the FO, “on the latest regional developments, DPM/FM shared Pakistan’s sustained efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy for peace and stability in the region”.

It added that the Qatari minister of state applauded Pakistan’s efforts in “fostering peace”.