RAWALPINDI : Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s military chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, during which he praised Islamabad’s role in de-escalating regional hostilities and securing a temporary ceasefire.
According to a statement issued by the Iranian embassy, Araqchi appreciated Pakistan’s continuous and effective efforts in promoting peace, security, and a halt to hostilities in the region. The conversation came amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Sources indicate that following direct appeals from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Munir, US President Donald Trump agreed to extend a deadline for a planned major military strike against Iran by two weeks, acting on Pakistan’s request.
Simultaneously, Iran accepted a Pakistani-proposed temporary ceasefire. In a significant move, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued orders for all military units to cease fire following the US agreement on a truce. However, he clarified that the halt in operations is not an end to the conflict but merely a temporary pause.
A statement broadcast by Iran’s state broadcaster confirmed the development: “All military branches should immediately implement the ceasefire on the order of the Supreme Leader, but the country will remain fully alert.”
The development marks a rare diplomatic intervention by Pakistan, which has leveraged its ties with both Washington and Tehran to prevent an immediate escalation. Neither the White House nor the Pakistani military’s media wing has yet issued an official comment on the reported deadline extension.
