Iran and US receive ‘Islamabad Accord’ plan for immediate ceasefire: Reuters

A plan to end hostilities between the US and Iran has been proposed and could be finalised as early as Monday, sources say. The framework, put together by Pakistan, includes a two-stage approach starting with an immediate ceasefire, followed by a comprehensive agreement within 15–20 days.

According to the source, the proposed deal would lead to the reopening of the vital Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil shipments, and is expected to be dubbed the “Islamabad Accord.” If agreed upon, the ceasefire would take effect immediately, providing a critical pause in hostilities and a chance for further negotiations. Final discussions for the broader agreement are expected to be held in Islamabad, with key issues including nuclear restrictions, sanctions relief, and the release of frozen assets.

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 Araqchi to push the proposal forward. While there has been no official response from either US or Iranian officials yet, sources suggest Iran is seeking guarantees against further attacks from the US and Israel before committing to a permanent ceasefire.

The final agreement is expected to include Iran’s pledge not to pursue nuclear weapons, in exchange for significant sanctions relief and unfreezing of assets. However, despite continuous outreach, Iran has yet to officially commit to the proposal, though diplomatic efforts from Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt continue to intensify.

This diplomatic breakthrough comes as the ongoing conflict has led to severe disruptions in global energy markets, with traders closely monitoring the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump has publicly warned of consequences if a ceasefire is not reached quickly, heightening tensions over the potential for further military escalation.

As negotiations unfold, all eyes are on whether the US and Iran can reach an agreement that could stabilise the region and avert further conflict.