With the clock ticking on US President Donald Trump’s 48-hour push for de-escalation, a behind-the-scenes proposal routed through Islamabad has emerged as a possible breakthrough in the US–Iran standoff.
The framework, now being referred to as the “Islamabad Accord,” is not a signed deal yet. It is a working draft, one that hinges on both sides agreeing within hours, not days.
At its simplest, the plan is a two-step exit ramp from the conflict. The first step is an immediate ceasefire. If Washington and Tehran agree, hostilities would stop almost instantly. The understanding would be formalised remotely, with Pakistan acting as the channel carrying messages between the two sides.
But the ceasefire is not just about stopping attacks. It is directly tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow passage that handles a major share of global oil shipments. Its shutdown has already rattled markets, which is why restoring traffic there is built into the first phase itself.
The second step is where the real negotiation begins. Both sides would get a 15 to 20-day window to hammer out a broader agreement. That final round is expected to take place in Islamabad, which is why the entire framework is being labelled after the city.
Final Deal
While details are still fluid, the broad outlines are familiar. Iran would be expected to step back from any pursuit of nuclear weapons. In return, it could see sanctions eased and frozen assets released, long-standing demands from Tehran.
However, Iran is not just looking for economic relief; it wants clear guarantees that it will not face future attacks, particularly involving the US or Israel. That demand remains unresolved.
The Strait of Hormuz has become the pressure point in this conflict. Any continued disruption there sends shock waves through global energy markets. That is why reopening it is not being left for later negotiations; it is tied directly to the ceasefire trigger.
At the same time, there is intense diplomatic activity underway. Pakistan has effectively positioned itself as the only active back channel, with its military and political leadership in constant touch with both sides.
There is no agreement yet. Iran has not formally responded, according to reports, officials familiar with the talks say the chances of securing even a temporary deal remain uncertain. A fallback idea, a short-term ceasefire lasting around 45 days, is also being discussed, but even that is not guaranteed.
Trump’s public warnings have added to the pressure, compressing what would normally take weeks of negotiation into a matter of hours.
If Tehran signs on, the sequence is straightforward: fighting stops, the Strait reopens, and negotiators get a narrow window to turn a pause into a permanent settlement.
