Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Saturday that Iran has agreed to allow 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, with two ships scheduled to cross daily. Dar described the move as a “harbinger of peace” and a “welcome and constructive gesture,” suggesting it could help stabilize a region strained by conflict and energy shortages. His announcement, addressed to senior U.S. and Iranian officials, underscored Islamabad’s broader diplomatic role in efforts to end the ongoing war.

The Strait of Hormuz has been largely closed since coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sparking a conflict that has severely disrupted global trade. With about 2,000 vessels stranded and oil prices surging above $100 a barrel, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has imposed strict passage controls, requiring ships to pay for escorted transit. Iran’s parliament is now considering legalizing these tolls as a revenue source.

The deal follows a week of intense Pakistani diplomacy, including talks between Pakistan’s army chief and U.S. President Donald Trump. Islamabad has offered to host peace talks if all parties agree.