US Dictated Pak’s Ceasefire Note, So Why Is Vance Making U-Turn On Lebanon?

Last Updated:April 09, 2026, 13:05 IST

US approved Pakistans ceasefire post with Iran, but VP Vance says deal excludes Lebanon, contradicting Shehbaz Sharif as Israel resumes strikes there

The ceasefire announcement between the US and Iran, fronted by Pakistan, has raised fresh questions after reports indicated that Washington had prior knowledge and approval of Islamabad’s messaging. Follow Live Updates Here 

According to a New York Times report, the White House had reviewed and signed off on Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s social media post announcing the truce before it was made public, suggesting close coordination despite the appearance of independent mediation.

Sharif’s post declared an “immediate ceasefire" between the US and Iran and their allies, with the wording echoing President Donald Trump’s style. The announcement followed direct conversations between Trump, Sharif and Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir, with Iran also acknowledging Islamabad’s role.

Pakistan’s mediation came after months of outreach to the Trump administration and years of maintaining ties with Tehran, positioning itself as a key intermediary.

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Vance Contradicts Pakistan On Lebanon

The uncertainty deepened after US Vice President JD Vance said the ceasefire did not include Lebanon, contradicting Pakistan’s position. Speaking to reporters in Budapest, Vance said Iranian negotiators may have misunderstood the scope of the agreement.

He said the US position was that the ceasefire applied to Iran and US allies, including Israel and Gulf states, but not to Lebanon. Vance added that Israel had indicated it would exercise some restraint in Lebanon, though he did not provide details.

His remarks directly conflicted with Sharif’s announcement, which stated the ceasefire applied “everywhere," including Lebanon.

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The Confusion

The conflicting statements have placed Pakistan at the centre of a growing controversy over how the ceasefire was interpreted and communicated. While Iran appeared to believe Lebanon was included, the US and Israel have maintained that it was not part of the agreement.

Minutes after Pakistan’s announcement, Israel welcomed the ceasefire but clarified that Lebanon was excluded. Hours later, it launched fresh strikes on Lebanese territory.

This attack points to lack of clarity around the terms of the truce and raises questions about whether key elements of the agreement were interpreted differently by the parties involved, despite close coordination during negotiations.

Also Read: White House Pushed Pakistan For Weeks To Persuade Iranian Authorities For Ceasefire Deal

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