Pakistan's Late-Night Call Blitz, China's Guest Role: How US-Iran Ceasefire Was Brokered

Last Updated:April 08, 2026, 11:12 IST

At the centre of the diplomatic push was a Pakistan-backed proposal for a two-week ceasefire, which both Washington and Tehran eventually accepted

The ceasefire between the United States and Iran may have been announced publicly by US President Donald Trump, but behind the scenes, it was a frantic, high-stakes diplomatic sprint driven by a series of late-night calls from Pakistan’s top leadership which helped push both sides toward a pause.

According to top diplomatic sources, the breakthrough followed hours of intense backchannel engagement led by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

In what could be best described as a “call blitz", Pakistan’s leadership held multiple conversations in quick succession with key global players, including Trump and senior American officials, US Vice-President JD Vance, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt. These exchanges, often taking place late into the night across time zones, were aimed at building consensus around a temporary pause in the Iran war.

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At the centre of the diplomatic push was a Pakistan-backed proposal for a two-week ceasefire, which both Washington and Tehran eventually accepted, according to officials.

The proposal included a 15-day halt in hostilities, plans for direct negotiations in Islamabad on April 10, and Iran’s agreement to allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for the duration of the pause. Iran also shared a 10-point framework for negotiations with the United States through Pakistan.

Sources say the breakthrough may not have come without last-minute intervention from China. In the final hours before the ceasefire was announced, a senior Chinese official reportedly reached out directly to Vance, backing Pakistan’s proposal and urging Washington to accept the pause. This added pressure appears to have helped bridge the remaining gaps.

Soon after the diplomatic push intensified, Trump announced a two-week pause in military action, aligning with the proposal conveyed through Islamabad. Iranian officials also signalled acceptance, with Araghchi confirming Tehran’s willingness to adhere to the arrangement.

Pakistan’s leadership publicly welcomed the development, with Sharif calling it a “sagacious gesture" and formally inviting both sides to Islamabad for talks.

The focus has now shifted to April 10, when Pakistan is expected to host what could be the first formal round of negotiations between US and Iranian representatives during the current crisis.

Diplomatic sources indicate that senior delegations, including Vance and top Iranian officials, are likely to attend, alongside representatives from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, China and Russia. Pakistan’s foreign office has begun preparations, with invitations and logistical arrangements underway.

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