The United States and Iran agreed to a ceasefire proposal on Tuesday, less than two hours before a deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened or "a whole civilization will die."
Pakistan, acting as an intermediary, proposed that Trump should agree to a two-week extension to the deadline, while Iran should allow marine traffic through the strait for that period. Iran agreed, saying its armed forces would co-ordinate safe passage through the critical pathway for oil and gas. Lebanon, where Iran-backed Hezbollah militants have been trading fire with Israel, is also covered by the deal, Pakistan's prime minister said.
The last-minute agreement averted what political and military experts said would have constituted a war crime for the United States.
But it did not bring absolute relief: one professor said there are still long-term deals to be made about the future of a democracy in Iran and the wider world order, considering Trump's explicit threat of such magnitude.
Sharif, Pakistan's prime minister, said he was grateful the two countries had accepted the ceasefire proposal.
"Both parties have displayed remarkable wisdom and understanding and have remained constructively engaged in furthering the cause of peace and stability," his statement read.
Sharif also invited American and Iranian leaders to Islamabad on Friday to "further negotiate" a long-term peace solution.
Iran's foreign minister issued his own statement confirming the country had accepted the ceasefire proposal. Abbas Araghchi said Iran will also stop its defensive operations so long as Israel and the U.S. stop their attacks.
The minister said Iran's armed forces will facilitate safe passage through the strait for the two-week period.
Iran's National Security Council said it accepted the plan with the approval of its new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
