Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Area Marshal Asim Munir meet US President Donald Trump on the White Home in Washington DC on September 25, 2025. Photograph: Handout
United States President Donald Trump was all reward for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Military Employees, Area Marshal Asim Munir, on Friday, following a breakthrough in Iran’s announcement to open the Strait of Hormuz to business vessels.
In a submit on Reality Social, he stated: “Thanks to Pakistan and its nice prime minister and area marshal, two unbelievable individuals!”
The feedback got here as Iran’s overseas minister introduced the opening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz to all business delivery for the rest of a U.S.-brokered 10-day truce between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, agreed by Israel and Lebanon.
Later, US president shared the announcement on Reality Social.
“Iran has simply introduced that the Strait of Hormuz is absolutely open and prepared for full passage. Thanks!” he stated, including that US help had eliminated — or was within the means of eradicating — sea mines from the waterway.
The US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on February 28, killing dozens of high navy officers, together with then-Supreme Chief Ali Khamenei, earlier than a two-week ceasefire was mediated by Pakistan earlier this week.
Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes concentrating on Israel, in addition to Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf nations internet hosting US navy property, and restricted the motion of ships by means of the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for oil and gasoline shipments.
Combating later unfold to Lebanon after Israel launched an offensive there, widening the battle, as america and Israel continued assaults on Iran.
Because the battle continued to increase and intensify, Pakistan emerged as a mediator alongside different regional powers within the escalating disaster. Because the negotiation course of started, america and Iran exchanged their respective positions, however early discussions yielded no progress. Nevertheless, following sustained diplomatic efforts by Pakistan, each side agreed to carry talks in Islamabad final week.
However, Washington and Tehran failed to achieve an settlement in Islamabad over the weekend throughout talks that had been a part of broader efforts to finish the battle.
Later, Trump introduced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which took impact at 1400GMT Monday.
Though the talks ended and not using a breakthrough, they left a measure of hope, with each events indicating a willingness to proceed negotiations. Efforts resumed this week, with Trump expressing optimism about reaching a deal quickly.
With one other spherical of dialogue anticipated as early as this weekend, Iran took a step towards de-escalation by saying the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz to all business delivery.
Trump’s historical past of praising Pakistan management
This was not the primary time that Trump spoke extremely for Pakistan’s civil and navy management as earlier whereas addressing a global occasion on Gaza peace on October 13, 2025, he stated, “I wish to thank Prime Minister Sharif of Pakistan and in addition I’ve to say my favourite Area Marshal from Pakistan who’s not right here however the Prime Minister is right here… give him my regards.”
In different cases, too, he appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz and Chief of Defence Forces calling him “an important, nice man,” and “an inspiring character,” crediting them for serving to avert escalation in South Asia.
The Pakistan-US relationship skilled a big thaw in 2025–2026, transitioning from a chilly interval to heat, strategic, and pragmatic engagement throughout President Donald Trump’s second time period. This shift was largely pushed by a significant reset in relations following President Trump’s intervention in regional conflicts, notably his function in brokering a ceasefire between Pakistan and India in Could 2025.
The primary thaw in Pakistan-US relations got here through secret counterterrorism exchanges, signaling substantive cooperation. In March final 12 months, Trump unexpectedly praised Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts throughout a nationwide handle, prompting a coverage shift.
The brief however intense Could skirmish with India in Could 2025 turned a decisive turning level, showcasing Pakistan’s navy self-discipline, strategic focus, and uneven capabilities – qualities that reportedly stunned Trump.
Regardless of India’s repeated denials, PM Shehbaz continued to reward President Trump for his function in brokering a ceasefire between the 2 nuclear-armed neighbours, and nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, saying his intervention had helped save hundreds of thousands of lives.
The reward was reciprocated, with Trump commending the premier and in addition lauding CDF Munir, as he reiterated claims that he had helped avert a conflict between Pakistan and India in Could 2025.
Ties between the nations took an additional flip when Trump invited Munir to a luncheon — the primary such assembly for a Pakistani navy chief — adopted by a red-carpet go to to US Central Command headquarters for high-level talks.
Following a ceasefire after the extended conflict in Gaza, Trump introduced the formation of a “Board of Peace” that included Pakistan, once more singling out Sharif for reward throughout its inaugural summit.
Addressing the occasion, Trump stated, “I like this man,” referring to Sharif, as he recounted efforts that led to final 12 months’s ceasefire between Pakistan and India. He additionally praised Munir throughout his remarks.
