‘No US-Iran War Till April 21’: Pakistan The Guarantor Amid Ceasefire, Talks? Exclusive

Last Updated:April 12, 2026, 16:49 IST

According to sources, the US peace proposal remains on the table, while awaiting Iran's formal response

As the US-Iran talks in Pakistan did not end in an agreement, one question is on everyone’s mind – Will the war continue from today?

“A broad but unofficial agreement still exists between the negotiating parties. The 15-day ceasefire, beginning April 7, will continue till April 21 and no violations will be witnessed during this period," said top sources from Pakistan government.

Iran is already in de-escalation mode as Pakistan has emerged as the guarantor before April 21 deadline. According to sources, the US peace proposal remains on the table, while awaiting Iran’s formal response. In this context, there is no likelihood of any new tensions or aggression at least until Tehran, under dual pressure of Pakistani military posture in the Gulf and US-led diplomacy, narrow Iran’s room for escalation.

The restraint holds as Iran avoids isolation and any aggressive move risks validating Pakistan’s two-front pressure strategy.

What happened during peace talks?

The peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan, concluded on April 12, 2026, without reaching an agreement to end their six-week war. Despite 21 hours of marathon negotiations led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, the discussions ended in a deadlock with no immediate plans for a next round.

A primary cause for the breakdown was Iran’s refusal to accept U.S. terms to refrain from developing nuclear weapons. The US demanded “zero enrichment" and the removal of Iran’s uranium stockpile. Control over Strait of Hormuz remained a major point of contention. Iran’s 10-point proposal included demands for the release of frozen assets and the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions, which conflicted with US policy.

Pakistan the guarantor?

“Tehran knows that rejecting or stalling beyond April 21 will strengthen the Saudi-Pakistan military axis permanently. The deployment has raised the cost of non-compliance and continued Iranian missile and drone activity would not only violate the undeclared truce but also force Pakistan to escalate," said sources.

This is potentially dragging in other Gulf actors and complicating Iran’s already fragile economic position. “This is why sources see no hostilities expected at least until April 21 and Pakistan has effectively become the guarantor," said sources.

These guarantees have kept both the Saudi side patient and the Iranian side cautious and giving the US offer breathing room and diplomatic weight.

Iran under pressure

Tehran is under simultaneous pressure and militarily from Pakistani assets now sitting across the Gulf and diplomatically from the ongoing US-mediated talks.

“Iran cannot afford to walk away from and economically from the need to prevent further Saudi oil disruptions that would tighten global sanctions. By keeping forces in Saudi Arabia while hosting the talks, Pakistan has downgraded Iran into a temporary de-escalation corner," they said.

With agency inputs

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