Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that at the final hours of talks between the U.S. and Iran, the negotiations once teetered on the brink of collapse. But it was Army Chief Asim Munir, head of Pakistan's military, who stayed up 'night and day' to keep the talks on track. Sharif stressed that without Munir's perseverance, 'the dream of peace would have shattered.'
The permanent ceasefire, effective immediately and including Lebanon, was announced early Monday. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social, 'The deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is done.' The signing ceremony will take place in Geneva on Friday, chaired by Pakistan.
According to Iran's Mehr News Agency, the agreement consists of 14 points. The U.S. commits to lifting its naval blockade of Iran within 30 days and withdrawing troops from areas near Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, closed by Iran since the start of the war on February 28, will reopen for normal traffic. Iran's frozen assets of $24 billion are expected to be gradually released over the following 60 days, concurrent with talks on Iran's nuclear program.
Pakistan acted as an honest broker, respected by both sides. Mediation efforts began with a ceasefire on April 8, when General Munir urgently contacted U.S. officials. Thereafter, Pakistan hosted the highest-level direct talks between Washington and Tehran since 1979 in Islamabad, though no immediate agreement was reached. Pakistani officials shuttled repeatedly between Washington and Tehran, with involvement from China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar.
Former Pakistani diplomat Jauhar Saleem remarked, 'This is an example of never-give-up diplomacy, where a trusted honest broker helps overcome deep distrust.' Pakistan had to navigate divisions between pragmatists and hardliners within each country, especially Iran.
Prime Minister Sharif thanked Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father after an assassination on the first day of war, for showing 'wisdom, caution, and patience under extremely difficult circumstances.'
The final hours were tense after an Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Beirut on Sunday sparked an angry response from Tehran. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf questioned whether Washington had 'the will or the ability' to enforce its commitments. However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian kept the diplomatic door open. Prime Minister Sharif then posted the preliminary agreement, and President Trump confirmed within minutes.
