By International Desk | April 13, 2026
Shehbaz Sharif has confirmed that the ongoing ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains in effect, following mediation efforts led by Pakistan.
In a televised cabinet address on Monday, Sharif emphasized that peace processes take time, drawing parallels with past agreements such as the Geneva Accords. He noted that while the ceasefire is holding for now, uncertainty remains over whether negotiations will resume before the current phase expires on April 22.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that Islamabad will continue working to create conditions conducive to renewed dialogue between Washington and Tehran. However, neither side has issued an immediate response regarding future talks.
According to reports, a key obstacle to a long-term agreement is the perception on both sides that they have gained the upper hand in the conflict, reducing the urgency to compromise.
Meanwhile, Wang Yi urged that maintaining the ceasefire should be the top priority to prevent further escalation across the Middle East.
In Berlin, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure as a vital international maritime route. While he refrained from commenting on threats by former US President Donald Trump regarding a potential blockade, he reiterated Germany’s commitment to resolving the crisis through diplomatic means.
The situation remains fluid, with global powers closely monitoring developments as the ceasefire deadline approaches.
