The United States and Iran have entered a two-week ceasefire following forty days of intense military conflict, marking a dramatic de-escalation in a war that has severely disrupted global oil supplies. The agreement, which took effect early on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, involves a mutual suspension of air strikes and the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The diplomatic breakthrough followed a narrow window before a deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had threatened a significant expansion of strikes against Iranian civilian infrastructure. The truce was primarily facilitated by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir, who proposed the 14-day window to prevent a wider regional catastrophe.
"Subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz, I will suspend attacks for two weeks," President Trump stated via social media late on Tuesday. He described the framework as a "workable basis" for negotiating a long-term settlement.
Tehran confirmed its participation while maintaining a stance of high military readiness. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council issued a statement on Wednesday morning, asserting that the pause does not signal the end of the war. "Our hands remain upon the trigger," the council noted, though it confirmed that safe passage for vessels through the Strait is now being coordinated by Iranian forces.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the development, urging all parties to use the interval to "pave the way toward a lasting and comprehensive peace." While the truce covers direct U.S.-Iran hostilities, regional tensions remain high. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that the pause does not include Israel's ongoing operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Formal negotiations between American and Iranian delegations are scheduled to begin in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday, 10 April. The talks are expected to centre on Iran’s "10-point proposal," which addresses nuclear activity, the permanent lifting of economic sanctions, and maritime security arrangements for the Persian Gulf.