White House Engaged in Secret Ceasefire Talks with Iran Through Pakistani Mediation
While former President Donald Trump was publicly escalating threats against Iran, claiming the nation was "begging" for a deal, the White House was quietly working behind the scenes to broker a temporary ceasefire. According to sources familiar with the discussions, this covert diplomatic effort relied heavily on Pakistan acting as a crucial intermediary.
Pakistan's Pivotal Role in Fragile Diplomacy
For several weeks, the Trump administration leaned on Islamabad to persuade Iran to agree to a pause in hostilities that would facilitate the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan's status as a Muslim-majority neighbor was viewed as essential to making the proposal palatable to Tehran's leadership.
The back-channel diplomacy, spearheaded by Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir, culminated late Tuesday with simultaneous announcements from the United States, Iran, and Israel declaring a two-week ceasefire. This diplomatic breakthrough occurred mere hours after Trump issued a stark warning that he could destroy Iran's "whole civilization" if it failed to comply with his demands.
Trump's Dual Approach: Public Threats and Private Diplomacy
Sources indicate that Trump, concerned about rising oil prices and what aides described as the unexpected resilience of Iran's leadership, had been pushing for a ceasefire since at least March 21. This was when he first threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if his demands weren't met.
As his Tuesday deadline approached, General Munir engaged in a series of urgent calls with senior U.S. officials, including Trump himself, Vice President JD Vance, and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Washington and Islamabad jointly believed Iran would be more receptive to ceasefire proposals coming through a neutral Muslim-majority country rather than directly from the United States.
The Ceasefire Announcement and Diplomatic Misstep
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later made the two-week ceasefire offer public through social media after General Munir communicated with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. However, Sharif's post briefly drew unintended attention when it accidentally included the line: "draft — Pakistan's PM message on X," revealing the provisional nature of the announcement.
Complex Negotiations and Iranian Internal Divisions
Following Trump's initial ultimatum regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Pakistani officials began relaying messages between Iranian political and military leaders and the White House. Islamabad proposed hosting a peace summit, circulated a U.S.-drafted 15-point framework, and shared Iran's five- and ten-point counterproposals. During negotiations, ceasefire durations ranging from 45 days to two weeks were thoroughly discussed.
While significant divisions remained between the parties, diplomats noted that Iran gradually demonstrated willingness to scale back certain demands, including potential limits on its uranium stockpile. Despite tentative agreement among Iranian political leaders like Foreign Minister Araghchi, securing approval from the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps proved particularly challenging. The IRGC, which wields substantial influence in Iran's political and military apparatus, appeared internally divided, with some factions opposing both a ceasefire and renewed talks with the United States.
Persisting Tensions and Regional Complications
Ground tensions continued even during negotiations. An Iranian drone strike targeted the Saudi petrochemical hub in Jubail on Tuesday, which one Pakistani official characterized as a "last-ditch move to derail talks." Islamabad, which signed a defense pact with Riyadh last year, reacted sharply, warning Tehran that such actions risked international isolation and could undermine the fragile peace effort.
Pakistan has thus far avoided being targeted by Iranian strikes and has maintained a carefully neutral stance, even as Saudi Arabia faced repeated attacks. In a Wednesday call with Prime Minister Sharif, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed Tehran would send representatives to Islamabad for further negotiations. Pakistani officials indicated they expected Vice President Vance and special envoy Witkoff to join talks alongside Iranian representatives including Foreign Minister Araghchi, parliament speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf, and a senior figure from the IRGC.
Ongoing Challenges and Regional Spillover
Officials in Islamabad remain cautiously optimistic but warn that "many spoilers" could still derail the diplomatic process. Fighting continues between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, with Israel explicitly excluding Lebanon from the ceasefire arrangement. Additional concerns persist that factions within the IRGC could continue attacks on Gulf infrastructure despite the agreement.
During a follow-up call with General Munir, Foreign Minister Araghchi thanked Pakistan's military leadership but pointed to "Israeli ceasefire violations in Iran and Lebanon," according to Iranian officials. Meanwhile, Pakistan has expressed its own concerns regarding elements of Iran's ten-point proposal, particularly provisions related to Tehran's control over the Strait of Hormuz and its ability to impose tolls on maritime traffic.
The delicate ceasefire represents a temporary de-escalation in a region marked by complex alliances and deep-seated tensions, with Pakistan emerging as an unexpected but crucial diplomatic bridge between longstanding adversaries.
