FO declines comment on reported ‘Islamabad Accord,’ says peace process is ongoing

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Monday declined to comment on reports that Pakistan had shared a ceasefire framework aimed at ending hostilities in the US-Israel war on Iran, while saying that the peace process was continuing.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, ‘We do not comment on these individual, specific incidents,’ and added that the peace process was ongoing.

Islamabad had conveyed a framework to the United States and Iran to help end the conflict. The arrangement could come into effect on Monday and could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The framework was exchanged with Iran and the United States overnight and set out a two-stage approach, beginning with an immediate ceasefire and followed by a broader agreement.

However, Reuters reported that Iran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz in return for a temporary ceasefire. A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday that Tehran believed Washington was not prepared for a permanent ceasefire.

The same Iranian official said Iran had received Pakistan’s ceasefire proposal and was examining it, while stressing that Tehran would not accept pressure to meet deadlines or make a decision.

Reported framework and contacts

One source said, ‘All elements need to be agreed today,’ adding that the initial understanding would be arranged as a memorandum of understanding and finalised electronically through Pakistan, described as the sole communication channel in the talks.

Axios had first reported on Sunday that the United States, Iran and regional mediators were discussing a possible 45-day ceasefire as part of a two-phase arrangement that could eventually lead to a permanent end to the war. The report cited US, Israeli and regional sources.

Reuters said a source said Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir had been in contact ‘all night long’ with US Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Under the reported proposal, a ceasefire would begin immediately and the Strait of Hormuz would reopen, while 15 to 20 days would be used to finalise a wider settlement.

The proposed arrangement, tentatively referred to as the ‘Islamabad Accord,’ would also include a regional framework for the strait, with final in-person talks to be held in Islamabad.

The developments came amid continued diplomatic activity over the conflict and the future of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key regional waterway.