Pakistan brokers Iran-US ceasefire; Islamabad talks set for April 10
Last updated: 11:33 UTC, April 08 2026 | Started: 2026-04-08 11:33 | 1 update(s) | Avg confidence: 82/100
The story so far: The 2026 Iran war began on 28 February when the US and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury — joint airstrikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes against Israel, US military bases, and six Gulf Arab states, and partially closed the Strait of Hormuz through which roughly 20 percent of the world's oil normally flows. Pakistan, which shares a 900-kilometre border with Iran and holds a mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, declared neutrality but engaged in intensive shuttle diplomacy that ultimately produced the April 7 ceasefire.
Latest Updates
2026-04-08 11:33 — Pakistan brokers Iran-US ceasefire; Islamabad talks set for April 10
Iran's Supreme National Security Council formally accepted a two-week ceasefire on April 7, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declaring on behalf of the Council that if US attacks halted, Iranian forces would cease operations and allow 'safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz via coordination with Iran's Armed Forces' — Axios and Washington Post both confirmed the statement.
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What We Know
- Iran's Supreme National Security Council formally accepted a two-week ceasefire on April 7, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declaring on behalf of the Council that if US attacks halted, Iranian forces would cease operations and allow 'safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz via coordination with Iran's Armed Forces' — Axios and Washington Post both confirmed the statement.
- President Trump announced the suspension of US strikes the same night, citing direct conversations with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, conditioning the pause on Iran agreeing to 'COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz' — Trump post cited by Reuters and CNBC.
- US-Iran peace talks are scheduled to begin in Islamabad on Friday, April 10; Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead the US delegation, according to two sources familiar with the plans cited by Axios.
- Iran's Supreme National Security Council simultaneously declared 'nearly all war objectives have been achieved' and framed the ceasefire as a negotiating position, not a termination of war — the Council's own statement, as reported by NBC News and the Washington Post, explicitly said 'this does not signify the termination of the war.'
- After the ceasefire formally came into force at 8 p.m. ET on April 7, missiles were still launched from Iran toward Israel and Gulf states, and Israel continued strikes — Axios reported this, and Israeli PM Netanyahu denied any ceasefire applied in Lebanon while saying Israel would comply regarding Iran.
Still Unclear
- President Donald Trump, social media post, cited by Reuters and CNBC: Trump conditioned the ceasefire on Iran's 'complete, immediate, and safe opening' of the Strait of Hormuz, implying full, unilateral reopening with no Iranian gatekeeping role.
Iran Supreme National Security Council statement, translated and reported by NBC News and Argus Media: Iran's acceptance specifies only 'regulated passage coordinated with Iran's Armed Forces,' explicitly preserving Iranian control over the strait and granting Tehran 'a unique economic and geopolitical standing.'
- Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, statement cited by Axios: Pakistan's Prime Minister Sharif said the ceasefire would apply in Lebanon as well as Iran.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, statement cited by Axios: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu denied any ceasefire was in place in Lebanon, saying Israel would comply only regarding Iran.
- Iran Supreme National Security Council statement, as reported by NBC News and news-pravda.com: Iran's Supreme National Security Council declared a 'historic victory,' saying the US had recognised Iran's right to enrich uranium and its control over the Strait of Hormuz.
PBS NewsHour and Argus Media: The White House has not confirmed the details of Iran's 10-point proposal, and PBS noted that Iran's stated terms 'would represent an extraordinary step down by the US.'
- (Unverified — state media only — the White House has not confirmed these terms) The US has recognised Iran's right to enrich uranium and is ready to lift all primary and secondary sanctions as part of the ceasefire framework. [Iran Supreme National Security Council statement, relayed by Iranian state media and news-pravda.com]
- (Unverified — single source — not independently corroborated by wire agencies) Pakistan's shuttle diplomacy, specifically Deputy PM Ishaq Dar's assurances at the OIC meeting, dissuaded Iran from striking Saudi Arabia and Oman. [Wikipedia article on Pakistan in the 2026 Iran war]
- (Unverified — state media only — sourced from IRGC-affiliated outlet, not independently confirmed) Iran threatened to target Saudi Aramco oil facilities and the Yanbu loading terminal if Trump followed through with escalated attacks before the ceasefire. [Iran's Tasnim News Agency (IRGC-linked), cited by Argus Media]
Key Figures
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|
| Total conflict deaths across nearly a dozen countries since 28 February 2026 | 5,000+ | Reuters, cited by WarCosts.org and multiple outlets, as of Day 40 (April 8) |
| US military fatalities | 15 killed, 520+ wounded | Reuters and Pentagon, compiled by WarCosts.org |
| Iranian civilian deaths | 1,600+ | Reuters, as of Day 40 |
| Casualties in Lebanon conflict | 1,497+ killed | Reuters, as of Day 40 |
| Oil price drop on ceasefire announcement | ~8% (US crude fell from ~$117 to ~$103/barrel on the day) | NBC News live blog |
| Duration of conflict before ceasefire | 39 days (28 February – 7 April 2026) | Multiple outlets including Axios and WarCosts.org |
| Iranian missiles, drones, and cruise missiles fired at UAE alone | 520 ballistic missiles, 2,221 drones, 26 cruise missiles (as of 7 April) | UAE Ministry of Defence, cited by Wikipedia/2026 Iranian strikes on UAE |
| Estimated US military expenditure through Day 19 | $18 billion+ | Pentagon, cited by WarCosts.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
What role did Pakistan play in the Iran-US ceasefire?
Pakistan served as the primary mediator, with PM Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir directly persuading Trump to suspend strikes and urging Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Islamabad also offered to host the April 10 peace talks and transmitted Iran's 10-point proposal to Washington.
Is the Strait of Hormuz actually open after the ceasefire?
Partially and conditionally. Iran agreed to allow 'safe passage' for two weeks but only 'via coordination with Iran's Armed Forces,' preserving Iranian gatekeeping. Trump demanded 'complete, immediate, and safe opening' — the two positions are not reconciled, and Argus Media flagged this as the central ambiguity of the deal.
What happens if the Islamabad talks fail after two weeks?
Iran's Supreme National Security Council explicitly stated the ceasefire 'does not signify the termination of the war' and will only accept a full settlement once all 10 points are finalised. If talks collapse, the US could resume the strikes Trump had threatened — including against civilian energy infrastructure — and Iran could re-close the strait.
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