Pakistan is proposing a two-phase ceasefire to the escalating war in Iran ahead of US President Donald Trump’s deadline threatening to destroy the country's power sector that would lead to a massive escalation,
Intellinews reports.
The pressure is on. Trump promised “irreversible damage” to Iran’s power grid by April 6, but in the last few days has extended the deadline for 48 hours to April 8. If the US were to carry through on its threat, Tehran has vowed to respond in kind and hit power and oil facilities throughout the region, massively escalating the conflict and causing damage that would take years to repair.
Pakistan has stepped in and is emerging as a key intermediator between Tehran and the US envoys. It has tabled a proposal that would lead to an immediate ceasefire before a more complicated second phase that could bring the war to an end.
Various plans have already been discussed. Trump suggested last week a 15-point plan and claimed that he was in “strong” talks with “the right people”. However, Tehran rejected that plan and claimed no talks have begun. Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei released his own three-point list of demands on March 21 that was unacceptable to the White House.
Pakistan is one of the few countries in the region with good relations with all the parties involved in the conflict and suggested its own five-point list of concessions last week together with China. Earlier Pakistan suggested a three-way meeting hosted in Islamabad which Tehran rejected. As IntelliNews reported, there is a huge gulf between the two warring parties. The latest proposal is a renewed attempt to close the gap.
While Tehran has not admitted to being in talks, according to reports, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been swapping messages with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the last two days.
While the new proposal is seen as progress, commentators are sceptical that a deal can be done before Trump’s deadline expires.
Arab media report that the framework has been drawn up by Pakistan and exchanged on the evening of April 5 that includes an immediate ceasefire followed by a broader agreement that would include security guarantees and the question of control over the Strait of Hormuz.
“All elements need to be agreed today,” a source told Iran International, adding that the initial understanding would take the form of a memorandum of understanding finalized electronically through Pakistan, described as the sole communication channel in the talks.
Iran International reported that Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, had been in contact “all night long” with US Vice President JD Vance, Witkoff and Araghchi working on the deal.
