Trump praises PM, CDF for role in easing tensions

ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump on Friday praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their role in easing tensions between Washington and Tehran. Shortly after Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Trump took to his Truth Social account to describe Prime Minister Sharif and Field Marshal Munir as ‘two fantastic people’ and to thank Pakistan for its contribution to regional stability. “Thank you to Pakistan and its great prime minister (Shehbaz Sharif) and field marshal (Asim Munir), two fantastic people, ” he wrote. In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is currently in Turkey on an official visit, took to X to thank Trump, saying: “Mr President, on behalf of the people of Pakistan, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and myself, I express my deep and profound appreciation for your kind and gracious words. ” READ MORE: Trump says Iran deal ‘very close, ’ may go to Pakistan to sign The remarks from President Trump came after Pakistan played a proactive role in facilitating US-Iran talks. Islamabad first helped broker a two-week ceasefire between the two countries, followed by hosting direct, intense 21-hour face-to-face talks between top US and Iranian officials – the first such contact in nearly 50 years. The US delegation included US Vice President JD Vance, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Following the Islamabad talks, Field Marshal Munir visited Iran two days ago. Shortly afterwards, Tehran reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping on Friday evening. The Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, is a critical oil transit route, with roughly one-fifth of global petroleum passing through it. Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on X that “in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by the Ports and Maritime Organisation of Iran. ” While Trump highlighted Pakistan’s role, the reopening reflects wider diplomatic efforts involving Tehran and multiple international stakeholders. Pakistan has increasingly positioned itself as a regional mediator, facilitating dialogue and conflict resolution in the Middle East. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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