Pakistan has formally proposed a two-week US-Iran ceasefire to create an opening for diplomacy, with the White House confirming President Trump is reviewing the offer.
President Trump has alluded to separate "heated negotiations" but has not clarified whether these talks are linked to Pakistan's initiative or involve other channels.
The U.S. response to the ceasefire proposal will be a critical indicator of the administration's willingness to de-escalate tensions or continue its maximum pressure policy.
Atlas AI
Pakistan has delivered a formal proposal to Washington calling for a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, according to officials familiar with the matter. The initiative, put forward by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is framed as a time-limited pause intended to open space for diplomatic negotiations between the two countries.
The White House confirmed on Tuesday that President Donald Trump has been briefed on the plan, and a spokesperson said “a response will come,” without giving a timeline.
Temporary US-Iran Ceasefire Averts Immediate Escalation, Reopens Critical Shipping Lane
A two-week, Pakistan-mediated ceasefire between the US and Iran has temporarily de-escalated regional tensions and enabled the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement, crucial for global energy supply, has seen a significant decrease in geopolitical risk premiums, impacting global oil prices and financial markets.
Officials described Islamabad’s offer as a neutral attempt to reduce tensions that have intensified in the Persian Gulf. Pakistan has maintained diplomatic channels with both Washington and Tehran, and its government is presenting that positioning as a basis for potential mediation in a long-running dispute. The proposal arrives as international stakeholders track whether the current escalation can be contained through diplomacy.
President Trump, speaking briefly with reporters, referred to “heated negotiations” underway involving the United States. He did not specify whether those discussions are connected to Pakistan’s ceasefire initiative or represent a separate diplomatic track. The lack of detail has left uncertainty about the format of any contacts, including whether communications are direct or indirect and who may be involved.
The ceasefire proposal follows a month marked by heightened military alerts and minor skirmishes in the Strait of Hormuz. Commercial shipping has faced disruptions, and both the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy have increased patrols in the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical corridor for global energy and trade flows, making any sustained instability a concern for governments and markets beyond the region.
Whether the Pakistani initiative advances depends on President Trump’s decision. Officials and observers say a temporary halt could create conditions for the first direct talks in several years and reduce the immediate risk of a broader military confrontation. By contrast, a rejection could be read in Tehran as evidence that Washington is not pursuing a diplomatic off-ramp, a perception that could shape Iran’s next steps.
Analysts have warned that the standoff could sharpen if diplomacy fails, including through changes in Iran’s nuclear posture or more assertive regional signaling. International allies and regional powers are watching closely: European leaders have privately urged restraint, while Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE remain cautious about any outreach that does not comprehensively address Iran’s regional activities. S.
response, and whether any negotiations referenced by Trump align with Pakistan’s proposed two-week pause.
