The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran has reached a significant development, as both nations have consented to a two-week ceasefire just before a critical deadline set by President Donald Trump. This agreement comes with Iran’s announcement to temporarily reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Both parties are claiming victory after more than a month of hostilities that have disrupted global financial markets and driven oil prices upward. Trump described the agreement as a “total and complete victory” for the United States, while Iranian officials also framed the ceasefire as a significant achievement, stating that discussions with Washington will commence in Pakistan on Friday, with the goal of resolving the ongoing conflict.
The Iranian Supreme National Security Council released a statement declaring, “The enemy has suffered an undeniable, historic and crushing defeat in its cowardly, illegal and criminal war against the Iranian nation,” asserting that Iran has secured a “great victory.”
The White House confirmed that Israel has also agreed to the ceasefire; however, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, where Israeli military actions in response to rocket fire from Iranian-supported Hezbollah have reportedly resulted in over 1,500 fatalities, according to Lebanese sources.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council indicated its conditional acceptance of the ceasefire, contingent upon a cessation of attacks on Iran. The Iranian Foreign Minister announced that the passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be managed by Iranian military forces for the next two weeks.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are scheduled to take place in Islamabad, with the intention of finalizing the details of the ceasefire agreement, which aims to “confirm Iran’s battlefield achievements.” These talks are set to begin on Friday, April 10, and may be extended. It was noted that these discussions do not signify the end of the war.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif has stated that Iran, the U.S., and their allies have agreed to a comprehensive ceasefire, including Lebanon. Sharif has played a crucial role in seeking a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and has invited delegations to Islamabad on April 10 to further negotiate a lasting agreement.
Netanyahu expressed support for the ceasefire but reiterated that the fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon remains separate from this agreement.
Trump disclosed that Iran has proposed a “workable” ten-point peace plan, which includes conditions previously rejected by the U.S. These conditions involve coordinated controlled transit through the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian military oversight, the withdrawal of U.S. forces from regional bases, lifting all sanctions, providing full compensation to Iran, and releasing all frozen Iranian assets. Additionally, the plan demands U.S. acceptance of Iran’s uranium enrichment program, a contentious issue for the Trump administration.
Despite the announcement of the ceasefire, missile alerts were still reported in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Israel.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the two-week ceasefire, expressing hope that it would lead to a permanent resolution of the conflict, which has significantly impacted global fuel prices. He criticized Trump’s rhetoric about destroying civilian infrastructure, calling it an “extraordinary statement” and emphasizing the need for conflicts to adhere to international law, ensuring civilian protection.
Albanese refrained from commenting on whether bombing civilian infrastructure would constitute a war crime, a perspective shared by numerous legal experts and officials.
While Israel supports Trump’s decision to pause military actions against Iran temporarily, they clarified that the ceasefire does not encompass Lebanon. The Israeli government stated that they back the U.S. initiative on the condition that Iran immediately reopens the Strait of Hormuz and ceases attacks on the U.S., Israel, and regional allies.
Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif had earlier claimed the ceasefire would apply to Lebanon as well. Since the war began, Israeli operations in Lebanon have reportedly resulted in over 1,400 deaths, including 126 children, and displaced over a million individuals, according to local authorities. The escalation of Israeli attacks was triggered by Hezbollah’s rocket fire into northern Israel, following the death of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes.
Israel has expressed its support for U.S. efforts aimed at ensuring Iran does not pose a nuclear or missile threat to itself, Israel, or its Arab neighbors, noting that Washington has assured Israel of its commitment to achieving shared objectives in the forthcoming negotiations. Iran has confirmed that talks with the U.S. will begin on April 10 in Islamabad.
