There has been a fragile diplomatic opening in the escalating US-Iran confrontation, with both sides agreeing to a two-week ceasefire framework brokered by Pakistan. The pause, announced amid looming threats of military escalation, is meant to create space for high-stakes talks in Islamabad – although Tehran has indicated that any lasting peace will depend on sweeping concessions outlined in its controversial “10-point plan”.
A two-week break in the middle of brinkmanship
The breakthrough follows days of heightened tension during which President Trump set a deadline for potential large-scale strikes against Iran. In the latest development, Washington has agreed to a temporary cessation of hostilities based on a proposal brokered by Pakistan.
The arrangement includes a limited period of de-escalation during which both sides are expected to refrain from offensive actions. Crucially, this period is also designed to facilitate direct negotiations, which are due to begin on Friday 11 April in Islamabad.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that maritime stability would be part of the interim agreement, saying:
“For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible through coordination with the Iranian Armed Forces and with due regard to technical restrictions.”
Strait of Hormuz: Critical Flash Point
The Strait of Hormuz – through which a significant portion of the world’s oil reserves pass – has been at the center of the crisis. Tehran’s willingness to provide temporary safe passage signals a tactical concession, although it is still tightly controlled.
Iran has stressed that any such deal would be directly controlled by its military, bolstering its claim to authority over the strategic waterway during the ceasefire period.
Tehran’s conditional ceasefire
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council set the ceasefire not as a concession but as a conditional pause dependent on mutual restraint from Washington.
In an official statement, the council stated:
“If the attacks against Iran are stopped, our powerful armed forces will cease their defensive operations.”
The language reflects a defensive posture while leaving open the possibility of renewed conflict should negotiations falter.
The ’10-point plan’: Iran’s sweeping demands
At the heart of the upcoming talks is Iran’s claim that it has forced the US to accept its “10-point plan” as a basis for negotiations. The plan outlines far-reaching political, military and economic demands:
- Commitment to non-aggression
- Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz
- Acceptance of Iran’s uranium enrichment
- Cancellation of all primary sanctions
- Abolition of all secondary sanctions
- Termination of all UN Security Council resolutions
- Termination of all resolutions of the Board of Governors
- Payment of compensation to Iran
- Withdrawal of US combat forces from the region
- Stopping the war on all fronts, including Lebanon
Tehran characterized the framework as a diplomatic victory, although Washington has not publicly confirmed acceptance of all the terms.
Interviews in Islamabad: High stakes, low trust
Vice President Vance is expected to lead the talks on behalf of the US, with Pakistan as the host and facilitator. Iranian officials have made it clear that negotiations will proceed with deep skepticism.
A statement from the National Security Council highlighted:
“Accordingly, it has been decided at the highest level that Iran will negotiate with the US side in Islamabad for two weeks and only on the basis of these principles.”
“It is emphasized that this does not mean the end of the war, and Iran will only accept the end of the war when – with Iran accepting the principles of the 10-point plan – its details are also finalized in the negotiations.
The US-Iran war has reached a ceasefire, not a peace settlement
Despite the diplomatic move, Tehran has issued a strong warning that the conflict remains unresolved. The two-week window is expressly framed as provisional and refundable.
The Iranian statement ended with a sharp message:
“If the surrender of the enemy in the field becomes a decisive political success in the negotiations, we will celebrate this great historic victory together. Otherwise, we will fight side by side in the field until all the demands of the Iranian people are met. Our hands are on the trigger, and as soon as the enemy makes the slightest mistake, it will be answered with full force.”
