Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday urged US President Donald Trump to delay planned strikes on Iran, seeking diplomatic space amid mounting regional tensions.
Sharif appealed for a two-week extension to Washington’s deadline for large-scale attacks targeting Iranian infrastructure, warning that immediate escalation could derail fragile mediation efforts underway.
In a message posted on X, the Pakistani leader also called on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks as a goodwill gesture.
The strait, a crucial artery for global oil and gas shipments, has remained largely closed since the US-Israeli offensive began on February 28.
Trump had set a midnight GMT deadline, threatening the “complete demolition” of Iran’s bridges, power plants, and other strategic infrastructure if negotiations failed.
Responding to Sharif’s proposal, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president had been informed and would issue a response soon.
Earlier in Washington, Trump intensified his rhetoric, warning that “a whole civilization will die” unless Tehran complied with American demands.
Pakistan has increasingly positioned itself as a diplomatic intermediary, quietly transmitting messages between Tehran and Washington to prevent further regional escalation.
Sharif described ongoing diplomatic efforts as progressing steadily, expressing confidence that negotiations could soon produce meaningful and tangible outcomes.
He urged all parties involved in the conflict to observe a temporary ceasefire, arguing that diplomacy requires calm rather than expanding military confrontation.
Islamabad has also offered to host direct talks between US and Iranian representatives, presenting itself as neutral ground for dialogue amid deepening uncertainty.
As deadlines loom and tensions sharpen, Sharif’s appeal reflects a final diplomatic push to replace the rhythm of war with the fragile promise of negotiation.