explainer
The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, just an hour before President Trump’s deadline to escalate the conflict.
Published April 8, 2026
Iran has accepted a two-week cease-fire after US President Donald Trump agreed to halt attacks on the condition that Tehran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz, with talks set to begin in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad on Friday.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said safe passage through the strategic waterway would be ensured for two weeks through coordination with Iran’s military.
President Trump’s action followed a request from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who urged Washington to extend the deal and called on Iran to reopen the strait.
In Iran:
US, Iran, Israel agree to last-minute ceasefire: The US, Iran and Israel agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, just an hour before President Trump’s deadline to escalate the conflict expired. The Iranian government agreed to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and the White House confirmed Israel’s participation. The breakthrough came after talks with the Pakistani leadership, which had been pushing for a ceasefire.
Hormuz ceasefire terms: Under the agreement, Iran and Oman will be allowed to charge transit fees to ships passing through, and safe navigation will be arranged. The Iranian government plans to use the proceeds for post-war reconstruction.
10-point peace plan: Talks are scheduled to begin in Islamabad on Friday, brokered by Pakistan’s prime minister. Tehran’s proposals include lifting sanctions, creating a defeat fund, potentially withdrawing U.S. troops from the Gulf, and recognizing Iran’s right to enrich uranium in exchange for a pledge not to build nuclear weapons. It is unclear whether the United States has agreed to any of these proposals.
Tehran synagogue attack: The Israeli military acknowledged that an overnight attack targeting Iranian military leaders caused “collateral damage” to a Tehran synagogue and expressed regret over the incident.
Tehran leaders project strength: Al Jazeera’s Mohamed War reported from Tehran “feelings of pride among leaders” who are telling their people “this war will end on Iran’s terms.”
War diplomacy:
Trump says China helped bring Iran to talks: President Donald Trump told AFP he believes China played a role in encouraging Iran to negotiate a two-week cease-fire. Asked if Beijing was involved in bringing its ally Tehran to the table, he said: “I’ve heard that it is.”
NATO chief meets Trump in Washington: Mark Rutte is scheduled to meet Trump on Wednesday, and NATO officials say the talks will focus on the situation in Iran and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Regional reaction: The ceasefire sparked street celebrations in Tehran and Baghdad, with Iranian leaders declaring the conflict would end “on Iranian terms.” But some remain skeptical, warning that the US and Israel are using the suspension to “buy time” and regroup.
Israel supports limited ceasefire: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed support for the US decision to suspend attacks on Iran, but stressed that the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon.
Weak withdrawal and narrow diplomatic window: Analyst Trita Parsi described the ceasefire as a strategic retreat by President Trump, arguing that the conflict had become an “absolute disaster” and the White House had no choice but to seek a way out. “Trump needed to leave, and he accepted it,” he said, warning that the next two weeks would be decisive in paving the way for real diplomacy or whether tensions would rise again.
Parsi said there was a “possibility” for meaningful talks to take place, but warned that “we are not there yet”, underscoring the fragility of the moment. Even if negotiations fail, it is unlikely to return to full-scale war in the same way, he added. Iran still maintains significant influence, particularly the ability to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, giving it the ability to exert sustained pressure on both the U.S. government and the global economy.
on the bay
Gulf States Sound Alarm: Gulf states including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates issued alerts and activated air defense measures almost simultaneously ahead of the ceasefire announcement. Bahrain says fire is extinguished after attack: No injuries were reported at the unnamed facility after the incident, authorities said. Acknowledging Saudi Arabia’s role: Saudi Arabia was briefly mentioned and thanked by Australian leaders for its role as a mediator that helped facilitate the current ceasefire agreement. Qatar: Before the ceasefire was reached, Qatar said the war was approaching the point where it could no longer be contained. “We have therefore urged all parties to find a solution before it is too late,” a Foreign Office spokesperson said.
in the US
The US is using the ceasefire as a diplomatic lever: White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said the military operation was a success in achieving its objectives and rejected the idea of a withdrawal. She said the ceasefire was a calculated move, arguing it “generated maximum leverage” for President Trump to negotiate tough negotiations and opened the door to a diplomatic solution and long-term peace.
American journalist released in Iraq: Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the release of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Iraq several days ago. Her freedom came after the militant group Kataib Hezbollah announced that it would release her on the condition that she leave the country immediately.
Scrutiny over ‘perfectly timed’ bets: Online prediction platform Polymarket is facing questions over possible insider trading after an anonymous user reportedly made $400,000 by betting precisely on the timing of US military operations and ceasefires, raising concerns about leaks related to geopolitical decisions.
in israel
Israel supports ceasefire, but not in Lebanon: Israel said Wednesday it supports a two-week ceasefire with Iran but maintained that the deal “does not include Lebanon,” which is fighting the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah. Reluctant to ceasefire: Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride reported that Netanyahu is “widely suspected of derailing the final round of talks” brokered by Oman and remains “very wary of the term ‘ceasefire.'” 5 injured in Israel: Israeli emergency services say five people have been injured in northern Israel after being hit by missiles from Iran and rockets from Lebanon. Israel warns Lebanese ships: The Israeli military has urged all ships in waters off southern Lebanon to immediately head north of the city of Tire, warning of possible activity in the area.
in Iraq and Lebanon
Strikes continue in Lebanon: Israeli operations continue. Air raids reportedly hit an ambulance in Kraileh, near Tire, and shelling was also reported in Barachit, south Lebanon. Lebanese health authorities said medical workers and rescue workers have been repeatedly targeted. Hezbollah shows defiance: Lebanese group Hezbollah has not commented directly on the ceasefire, but shared a previous statement by Iran’s late supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, along with an image of torn US and Israeli flags, warning: “We will bring our enemies to their knees.”
Iran-allied group suspends operations in Iraq: Iraq’s Islamic Resistance Group has announced it will abide by a ceasefire and suspend military operations in Iraq and across the region for two weeks.
Deadly attacks in Iraq before ceasefire reached: The ceasefire ended following a spike in violence, with Iraqi authorities reporting at least seven people were killed, including two children, in attacks late Tuesday.
world economy
Oil prices fall below $100: Oil prices fell on Wednesday after President Trump announced a two-week cease-fire with Iran, easing fears of supply disruptions. Wary despite ceasefire relief: Alex Holmes of the Economist Intelligence Unit said markets were in “wait-and-see mode” as “huge gaps” remained in negotiations and a ceasefire remained uncertain. He noted that although oil prices have fallen since the announcement, they are still significantly higher than in late February.
