• Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praises Trump's decision to halt U.S. naval escort operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Sharif says Pakistan and Saudi Arabia urged the move, expressing hope for a lasting regional peace agreement.
  • Move signals de-escalation in key energy chokepoint, with potential implications for global oil shipping stability.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed President Donald Trump’s decision to pause U.S. naval escort operations in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a boost for diplomacy. Sharif stated that Pakistan, alongside Saudi Arabia, had urged the move and expressed hope it leads to a lasting regional peace agreement.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global energy flows, has been a flashpoint in U.S.-Iran tensions. The pause in what some reports term "Project Freedom" operations reduces the U.S. naval footprint in the area, potentially lowering the risk of confrontation. Sharif emphasized Pakistan's support for "dialogue and diplomacy," framing the step as a positive development.

“We are hopeful that this diplomatic momentum leads to durable peace and stability,” Sharif said, according to people familiar with his remarks. The premier’s comments underscore Pakistan’s growing role as a stabilizing interlocutor in Middle Eastern affairs, particularly between major regional players.

A spokesperson for Pakistan’s foreign office confirmed the country’s backing of the move but declined to elaborate on specifics of the diplomatic push. Attempts to reach the U.S. State Department for comment were not immediately successful.

The development comes amid a broader pattern of de-escalation between Washington and Tehran, with recent ceasefire discussions and safe-passage initiatives in the region. Analysts suggest that if the pause holds, it could open a window for negotiations toward a longer-term arrangement covering maritime safety and crisis-management mechanisms.

For global oil markets, the reduced operational intensity in Hormuz is typically seen as lowering near-term disruption risk, potentially easing insurance and shipping costs. Pakistan, which faces its own energy challenges, stands to benefit from stable Gulf energy flows.

The pause also has implications for Gulf security calculations. Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally, has been involved in the diplomatic push alongside Pakistan. The move signals a concerted effort to convert tactical de-escalation into durable regional stability arrangements.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the name of the U.S. operation. It is referred to informally as 'Project Freedom' in some reports.