Pakistan has emerged as the unexpected broker in the escalating crisis between the United States and Iran, proposing a two-stage plan to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from Al Jazeera.
Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan's army chief, has been in continuous contact with US Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, sources told Reuters. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, acknowledged the diplomatic efforts on Monday.
"All elements need to be agreed today," a source close to the negotiations said, adding that the initial understanding would be structured as a memorandum of understanding finalized electronically through Pakistan, the sole communication channel in the talks.
Under the proposal, tentatively dubbed the "Islamabad Accord," a ceasefire would take effect immediately, reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The parties would then have 15 to 20 days to finalize a broader settlement, with final in-person talks to be held in Islamabad.
The final agreement is expected to include Iranian commitments not to pursue nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets, the source said. This framework addresses longstanding Western concerns about Iran's nuclear program while offering Tehran economic relief from crippling sanctions.
The development positions Pakistan as an indispensable broker in a major international crisis, leveraging its relationships with both and at a moment when few other nations maintain credible channels to both capitals. For 's neighbors, the accord could stabilize a volatile region where any US-Iran conflict would have immediate spillover effects.
