Islamabad, March 7, (dpa/GNA) – Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has said diplomatic efforts for a peaceful settlement of the war in Iran are “progressing steadily,” and urged US President Donald Trump to extend his ultimatum by two weeks.
Trump has set Iran a deadline to lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, by 8 pm on Tuesday in Washington (0000 GMT).
If Tehran does not reopen the critical waterway, Trump has threatened to destroy all of Iran’s bridges and power plants within hours.
Sharif also appealed to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz “for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture.”
He further called for all warring parties to observe a ceasefire for two weeks “to allow diplomacy to achieve conclusive termination of war.”
Pakistan is one of several countries mediating between Washington and Tehran – in addition to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told the Axios website: “The President has been made aware of the proposal, and a response will come.”
GNA