In a move that underscores Pakistan’s growing role as a key mediator on the global stage, US President Donald Trump announced an extension to the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The announcement comes just hours before the original two-week agreement, brokered with significant Pakistani involvement, was set to expire.
President Trump, in a statement on Truth Social, directly credited Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for urging the extension. “Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, and upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our attack,” Trump stated.
STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP:
Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the… https://t.co/fRcJWhI4HL pic.twitter.com/28bHQEXOiZ
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 21, 2026
This announcement marks the latest in a series of public acknowledgements from President Trump regarding Pakistan’s leadership, particularly Field Marshal Munir, for their efforts in mediating an end to the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.
The initial ceasefire, announced on April 8th, was the result of intensive backchannel negotiations led by Pakistan. These negotiations included direct consultations between Field Marshal Munir and key US and Iranian officials, including US Vice President JD Vance, Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
On April 11th, Islamabad hosted the first round of direct talks between the US and Iranian delegations, led by Vice President Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, respectively. Despite the initial talks failing to yield a breakthrough, Field Marshal Munir undertook a three-day visit to Tehran, becoming the first regional military leader to travel to the Iranian capital since the beginning of the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Pakistan’s commitment to de-escalation stems from its unique position as a nation with strong ties to both the US and Iran, further reinforced by its Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia. This balancing act has allowed Pakistan to act as a vital conduit for communication and negotiation between the parties.
Field Marshal Munir’s rise to prominence follows a period of significant transformation in Pakistan, including his promotion to Field Marshal and appointment as the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces. This restructuring was partly influenced by lessons learnt during the four-day conflict with India in May 2025, triggered by a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The Pakistani government believes that Field Marshal Munir’s expertise and standing on the international stage make him uniquely placed to facilitate meaningful dialogue and contribute to a lasting resolution. This aligns with Pakistan’s broader foreign policy objectives of promoting peace and stability in the region.
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