PM chairs key meeting on regional situation after Iran-US ceasefire extension

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the evolving regional situation following the extension of the ceasefire between Iran and the United States, sources said.

According to officials familiar with the proceedings, the meeting focused on assessing developments after the ceasefire extension and evaluating Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach in the region. Participants also reviewed efforts aimed at ensuring a second round of negotiations between the two sides.

The discussion underscored the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement to maintain stability and prevent further escalation.

Sources added that Pakistan welcomed the announcement by the President of the United States regarding the extension of the ceasefire, viewing it as a positive step towards de-escalation and dialogue.

US agrees to ceasefire with Iran

US President Donald Trump has announced an open-ended extension of the ceasefire with Iran, saying the pause in hostilities is meant to create space for diplomacy. The move reportedly came at the request of Pakistan, which has been mediating talks between the two sides in Islamabad. However, uncertainty persists, as neither Iran nor Washington’s ally Israel has formally committed to the continuation of the truce.

While signalling restraint, the United States is maintaining its naval blockade on Iranian trade routes, a step strongly criticised by Tehran as hostile. Iranian officials have also expressed skepticism about Washington’s intentions, with some questioning the credibility of the ceasefire extension.

The conflict, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, quickly escalated across the region. It has since drawn in actors including Gulf states hosting US bases and groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon. The war has caused over 5,000 civilian deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands, while also disrupting global markets.

Tensions have been particularly acute around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, where instability has triggered energy price volatility and fears of broader economic fallout.

Despite the ceasefire extension, prospects for peace remain uncertain. A second round of talks in Islamabad faces logistical and political hurdles, while key disagreements, especially over Iran’s nuclear programme, persist. Although the pause offers temporary relief, deep divisions continue to complicate efforts toward a lasting resolution.