“A temporary ceasefire has been announced, but now an even more difficult stage lies ahead.” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that after Islamabad helped talk the United States and Iran into stopping their war for two weeks.
Sharif had announced that the US, Iran and their allies “have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere.” Al Jazeera reported the statement on April 8. The deal followed a war of nearly 40 days, according to the New York Post, which reported that Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of the arrangement. The Associated Press said Iran would negotiate with the United States in Islamabad starting Friday.
Lebanon splits the two accounts
The truce was contested within hours. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office backed President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend strikes on Iran but said the ceasefire “does not include Lebanon.” Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israeli operations went on in the south, including strikes on the town of Srifa in the Tyre area. Lebanese authorities say Israeli operations there have killed more than 1,500 people and displaced more than 1.2 million since March 2.
Tehran tied its attendance at the talks to two demands, TRT World reported: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the unfreezing of Iranian assets.
Delegations in Islamabad
By April 10, Iran’s delegation had landed in Pakistan. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf led it, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, defense officials and central bank leadership. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and military leaders met them. Vice President JD Vance headed the American side alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. TRT World described it as the most senior US-Iran contact since the 2015 nuclear agreement.
The Serena Hotel in Islamabad was prepared as the expected venue. Sharif called the moment “make or break.” Vance was blunter: “if they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive.”
The agenda was heavy. Iran’s nuclear enrichment and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, where approximately one-fifth of world oil supplies pass, topped the list. Vessel traffic through the strait had stayed minimal since the ceasefire started.
Sources
- Netanyahu says US-Iran ceasefire 'does not include Lebanon' (Al Jazeera)
- Iran's delegation arrives in Pakistan for historic Islamabad talks (TRT World)
- Strait of Hormuz to reopen after Trump announces two-week 'double-sided cease-fire' (New York Post)
