Pakistan helps broker US-Iran ceasefire, averting planned strike: Report

Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday, stepping back from a planned military strike hours before a deadline following what officials described as a high-level diplomatic intervention by Pakistan.

The agreement came after direct contacts between Trump, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, says The Tribune.

"Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran... I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Pakistan's proposal called for a two-week pause in hostilities to allow backchannel negotiations to advance toward a settlement. As part of the arrangement, the United States would suspend its bombing threat in exchange for Iran ensuring the "COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING" of the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire.

Sharif made what was described as a "carefully calibrated appeal" to extend an 8 pm deadline, warning it risked undermining "fragile progress" that he said was "progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully".

Trump said he delayed a strike that he indicated could have destroyed "a whole civilization".

"The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East," Trump said.

He added that diplomatic efforts had advanced significantly.

"We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate," Trump said. "Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalised and consummated."

"On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the Countries of the Middle East, it is an honour to have this Longterm problem close to resolution," he said.

Iran accepted the proposal after it was approved by the country's new Supreme Leader, according to reports cited in the information provided.

The ceasefire follows weeks of escalation since hostilities began on 28 February, with strikes targeting infrastructure and expanding across the region.

US and Israeli forces hit Iranian sites including bridges, airports and energy facilities, as well as Kharg Island, a key export hub. Industrial locations in Arak and Mahshahr were also targeted.

Iranian missile barrages struck central Israel, while an attack on the Jubail petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia caused fires and disruption at a major energy facility.

The conflict has had a significant humanitarian impact. More than 2,000 people have been killed in Iran and tens of thousands injured, with strikes hitting residential areas and religious sites.

International concern has grown as the conflict has spread geographically and affected energy infrastructure critical to global markets.

The two-week pause is expected to provide a window for further negotiations, though the situation remains volatile.