Islamabad: Pakistan on Wednesday invited the US and Iran for talks in Islamabad on Friday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a social media post announced that the US and Iran, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.
“With the greatest humility, I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere, effective immediately,” he said.
In a post on X, Shehbaz Sharif said the United States, Iran and their allies had agreed to a ceasefire “everywhere”, including Lebanon, after his government stepped in to help end weeks of fighting.
“I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY,” Sharif posted on X.
He added that Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, would host delegations from both sides on Friday for talks aimed at reaching a “conclusive agreement”.
“We earnestly hope that the ‘Islamabad Talks’ succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in coming days,” he said.
Iran on ceasefire with the US
Iran’s supreme national security council said it has agreed to a two-week ceasefire in the conflict. The statement said talks with the US would begin in Islamabad on Friday.
“It is emphasised that this does not signify the termination of the war,” the statement said. “Our hands remain upon the trigger, and should the slightest error be committed by the enemy, it shall be met with full force.”
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that ships would be allowed safe passage for two weeks through the Strait of Hormuz, the route for one-fifth of the world’s oil, which Tehran had closed in response to the war launched on February 28.
