Islamabad’s mediatory role, as well as those of other countries, was in the limelight on Monday as world leaders welcomed a much-awaited agreement between Washington and Tehran to de-escalate tensions and eventually end a war that began more than three months ago and crippled the world economy. The preliminary agreement , first announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is being hailed as a significant diplomatic breakthrough that could restore peace in the Middle East, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and ease global economic pressures. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres congratulated the US and Iran for having reached a peace deal that provided for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as a framework for further negotiations.