Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged President Donald Trump to extend his deadline for Iran by two weeks, making the appeal just hours before Trump's ultimatum was set to expire at 8 p.m. EST on April 7.
Pakistan, which has emerged as a key mediator in the escalating Middle East conflict, proposed a comprehensive package: a two-week extension of Trump's deadline, Iran's reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for the same period, and a ceasefire by all warring parties to allow diplomatic efforts to proceed.
Diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the Middle East are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in near future
Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistani Prime Minister — Radio Free Europe
The mediation attempt came as Trump escalated his rhetoric against Iran, threatening to target the country's power plants and bridges in what he described as the "complete demolition" of critical infrastructure. His warning that "a whole civilization will die tonight" if no deal was reached drew international condemnation, including criticism from Pope Leo who called the statement "truly unacceptable."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump had been briefed on Pakistan's proposal, stating that "a response would come." Reuters reported that an unnamed senior Iranian official said Tehran was "positively reviewing" the ceasefire request while maintaining readiness for both peace and war.
RFE/RL frames the story as a diplomatic race against time, emphasizing Pakistan's mediation role while presenting Trump's threats as escalatory rhetoric. Their coverage highlights international criticism of Trump's language while maintaining focus on the procedural aspects of deadline extensions and negotiation dynamics.
NDTV emphasizes Pakistan's emergence as a regional mediator, framing Islamabad's intervention positively as a stabilizing force. Their coverage focuses on the diplomatic mechanics while downplaying the more inflammatory aspects of Trump's rhetoric, reflecting India's interest in regional stability despite complex Pakistan relations.
Daily Sabah frames Trump as an unstable leader whose "wildly provocative" threats have prompted calls for his removal from office. Their coverage emphasizes domestic American opposition to Trump's approach while positioning Pakistan's mediation as a reasonable alternative to what they characterize as dangerous escalation.
Spiegel frames Trump's threats as potentially genocidal, using stark language about "extinguishing an entire civilization" to emphasize the severity of American rhetoric. Their coverage positions European concerns about civilian infrastructure targeting while highlighting Pakistan's diplomatic intervention as a necessary counterweight to American aggression.
Al Jazeera frames Pakistan's mediation efforts as a legitimate diplomatic initiative emphasizing peaceful settlement over military escalation, positioning diplomacy as the preferred alternative to continued U.S.-Israeli strikes. The outlet's perspective reflects the Gulf region's complex position of wanting Iranian influence contained while avoiding a prolonged conflict that could devastate regional oil infrastructure and economic stability.
The current crisis began February 28 when the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes against Iranian targets. Since then, the conflict has expanded to include attacks on Iranian military installations and leadership, while Iran has maintained its closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas shipments.
Trump has extended his Iran deadline multiple times since first issuing the ultimatum in March, but his latest threats marked a significant escalation in tone. The president's warning about civilizational destruction prompted calls from some former allies for his removal from office through the 25th Amendment.
Pakistan's role as mediator reflects Islamabad's strategic positioning between Washington and Tehran. The country has offered to host "meaningful talks" between the adversaries, leveraging its relationships with both sides to prevent further escalation in a region already destabilized by months of conflict.
The diplomatic window remains narrow. Despite Pakistan's intervention, there have been few signs that either side is prepared for significant compromise, with substantial gaps remaining between American and Iranian negotiating positions.