Pakistan and Egypt Step Up Ceasefire Efforts as Iran Strike Deadline Nears

Islamabad: As tensions escalate ahead of a reported deadline for potential U.S. strikes on Iran, Pakistan and Egypt have intensified diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The report states that both countries have held multiple phone calls over the past 24 hours, working jointly to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran. Diplomatic channels are reportedly being used to exchange messages aimed at preventing further escalation.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier indicated that Vice President JD Vance was communicating with Iran through Pakistan as a mediator.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Foreign Minister confirmed speaking on Tuesday with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar regarding efforts to de-escalate the situation.

Senior Iranian sources, however, suggested that while communication through Pakistan is ongoing, the U.S. position remains unchanged. In Islamabad, Iran’s Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam said in a social media statement that Pakistan’s goodwill and diplomatic initiatives to stop the conflict have entered a crucial phase, with further details expected soon.

Earlier, on April 5, Trump reiterated warnings in a controversial statement, and more recently, he escalated rhetoric by claiming that “an entire civilization could end tonight,” heightening global concerns over the possibility of conflict.