Pakistan has proposed a two-stage plan to end the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides now considering the framework, a source told Reuters.
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, acknowledged the diplomatic efforts by Pakistan on Monday. Islamabad has shared a plan with both Iran and the United States aimed at ending hostilities, Reuters reported.
Baghaei emphasized that Iran remains focused on its national security amid continued attacks from the US and Israel.On Monday, a top university in Tehran and the South Pars Petrochemical Plant in Asaluyeh were bombed, resulting in at least 34 deaths in Iran.
Axios reported on Sunday that the US, Iran, and regional mediators were discussing a potential 45-day ceasefire as part of a “two-phased deal” that could lead to a permanent end to the war, citing US, Israeli, and regional sources.
According to Reuters, Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has been in continuous contact with US Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. “All elements need to be agreed today,” the source said, adding that the initial understanding would be structured as a memorandum of understanding finalized electronically through Pakistan, serving as the sole communication channel in the talks.
Under the proposal, a ceasefire would take effect immediately, allowing the Strait of Hormuz to reopen, with 15 to 20 days given to finalize a broader settlement. The tentative agreement, dubbed the “Islamabad Accord,” would include a regional framework for the strait, with final in-person negotiations scheduled in Pakistan’s capital.
The final deal is expected to involve Iranian commitments not to pursue nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets, the source added.However, Tehran has stated it will not reopen the strait as part of a temporary ceasefire, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday.
The official also said Iran would not accept deadlines while reviewing the proposal, and Washington is reportedly not ready to commit to a permanent ceasefire.Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid reported that Pakistan is engaged in “frantic diplomacy” to bridge deep distrust between the parties. Officials highlighted that managing egos and mistrust is a major challenge.
Pakistan has been speaking with Iran’s clergy, diplomats, and military commanders, but skepticism remains high over guarantees that Iranian leaders would not be targeted in any deal.Baghaei reiterated that Tehran would never accept the US’s 15-point plan proposed last month. He said Iran had finalized its own demands but would reveal them at an appropriate time.
“Such proposals are both extremely ambitious, unusual, and illogical,” he said, underlining that Iran’s engagement with mediators should not be seen as weakness.The latest diplomatic push comes amid escalating hostilities and concerns over disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global fuel supplies.
More than 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas passes through the waterway, which remains under a de facto Iranian blockade.US President Donald Trump, in an expletive-laden post on Sunday, threatened to rain “hell” on Tehran if the strait was not reopened by the end of Tuesday.
Since the war began on February 28, Iranian authorities report more than 2,000 deaths in Iran. Israel has also invaded southern Lebanon and struck Beirut, where Lebanese authorities say 1,461 people, including at least 124 children, have been killed, and more than 1.2 million have been displaced.
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