The New York Times report claims White House helped shape Shehbaz Sharif’s appeal to Donald Trump amid rising tensions with Iran.
April 10, 2026: A report by The New York Times has claimed that the White House was directly involved in shaping a social media post by Shehbaz Sharif, in which he urged Donald Trump to extend a deadline imposed on Iran. In the post, Sharif called for a two-week extension to allow diplomacy to progress and requested Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as a goodwill gesture, while also appealing for a temporary ceasefire across the region.
The report described the message as a “last-ditch” diplomatic effort as Trump’s deadline approached, suggesting that Pakistan was attempting to create an off-ramp for both sides. It further claimed that the statement had been reviewed and approved by US officials before being posted, even as Trump publicly issued strong warnings to Iran. The situation highlighted a contrast between Washington’s tough public stance and its behind-the-scenes efforts to de-escalate tensions.
Following the appeal, the US and Iran agreed to a two-week conditional ceasefire, with talks scheduled in Islamabad to explore a longer-term resolution. However, the report noted some confusion after Sharif’s post briefly appeared with a “draft” label, sparking speculation about its origins. While US officials denied that Trump authored the message, the episode underscored the complex and high-stakes diplomacy unfolding amid the crisis.