Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed sincere gratitude for US President Donald Trump’s complimentary remarks regarding Pakistan’s leadership role in mediating the US-Iran conflict. The two leaders exchanged cordial messages on social media, highlighting the strengthening diplomatic ties between Washington and Islamabad.
Trump once again acknowledged Pakistani leadership, including PM Shehbaz and Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, describing them as “fantastic people.” In response, PM Shehbaz conveyed his “deep and profound appreciation” on behalf of the people of Pakistan and its military leadership.
These exchanges coincided with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s announcement that all commercial vessels would be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for the remainder of the ceasefire period. Araghchi noted that shipping would follow coordinated routes established by Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organisation, ensuring safer navigation through this strategic waterway.
Meanwhile, Trump informed Axios that American and Iranian negotiators are expected to meet over the weekend, expressing optimism that a deal could be finalized within a day or two. He also revealed that if an agreement to end the conflict is signed in Islamabad, he might personally visit the city, emphasizing that Iran has agreed to “almost everything.”
The previous meeting in Islamabad, held three days after the ceasefire announcement last Wednesday, marked the first direct engagement between US and Iranian officials in over a decade and the highest-level contact since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf led their respective delegations during the talks, which addressed critical issues such as the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, and international sanctions.
These trilateral discussions, known as the ‘Islamabad Talks,’ spanned nearly 21 hours starting on the afternoon of April 11, underscoring the complexity and significance of the negotiations. Although the initial round concluded without a formal agreement, officials in Islamabad regarded it as a crucial step toward establishing direct communication channels between Washington and Tehran.
