US-Iran Ceasefire, Talks And Reopening Hormuz: What Asim Munir's 'Islamabad Accord' Is About

As tensions around the Strait of Hormuz reach a critical point, a Pakistan-brokered proposal, informally dubbed the “Islamabad Accord”, has reportedly been placed before both US and Iran. The plan, as reported by Reuters, lays out a two-step pathway: an immediate ceasefire to halt ongoing strikes, followed by a short window of negotiations to hammer out a broader, long-term settlement. Crucially, the first step also pushes for the reopening of the vital oil route almost immediately, signalling how urgently global markets and regional players want stability restored.

According to the report, Pakistan Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has been in speaking with US Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister

Abbas Araghchi “all night long”.

What makes this especially significant is the timing. It comes just as US President Donald Trump’s hard deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait is about to expire. Trump has warned of severe retaliation, including potential strikes on critical infrastructure, if Iran fails to comply by the cut-off, that is Tuesday, April 7, 8 PM EST (6.30 am IST). The Islamabad proposal, therefore, appears to be an effort to avoid a sharp escalation. Whether Iran accepts it remains uncertain, but the urgency reflects a race between diplomacy and the looming threat of a wider conflict.

From an immediate ceasefire to negotiations, here’s looking at what this ‘Islamabad Accord’ is about:

1. First Step: Immediate Ceasefire

The plan proposes an instant halt to hostilities between the US and Iran. This includes stopping missile, drone, and military strikes.

2. Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz

A crucial early condition is reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the vital global oil shipping route that has remained choked since the war began on February 28, leaving the global oil supply in a crisis. This step is key to stabilising global energy markets.

3. Two-Phase Structure Of The Deal

The accord is designed in two stages – nitial ceasefire agreement (MoU), followed by negotiation of a long-term settlement. A short window (around 15–20 days or longer) may be used to finalise the broader deal.

4. Permanent peace deal

The second phase, according to the Reuters report, aims at a comprehensive agreement that formally ends the US_Iran conflict. Final negotiations are expected to take place in Islamabad under Pakistani mediation.

5. Sanctions Relief For Iran

The deal includes lifting US-led sanctions on Iran. It also proposes unfreezing Iranian financial assets held abroad.

6. Iran’s nuclear commitment

In return, Iran would commit to not pursuing nuclear weapons. This is one of the central trade-offs in the agreement.

7. Regional framework and international mediation

The accord includes a broader regional security framework, not just bilateral terms. It is reportedly being brokered by Pakistan, with involvement or backing from countries like China and others.

However, Iran has not yet agreed to the proposal.

According to an Axios report earlier, the US, Iran and a group of regional mediators had been engaged in discussions over the terms of a potential 45-day ceasefire that could pave the way for a permanent end to the war. Whether a deal is reached before Trump’s Tuesday deadline for Hormuz is what the world would be watching closely.