US and Iran Agree to Two-Week Ceasefire
Tehran agrees to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz; both sides to hold talks in Pakistan as oil prices plunge over 17%
TEHRAN — April 8, 2026 — The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire early Wednesday, April 8, barely an hour before President Donald Trump’s deadline to launch devastating strikes on Iranian infrastructure was set to expire, officials from both countries confirmed .
Under the agreement announced at approximately 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Washington will “suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” contingent on Tehran’s agreement to the “complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform . The strategic waterway, through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil passes, had been effectively closed since Iran retaliated against US-Israeli strikes launched on February 28 .
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The truce came after a dramatic day of threats and diplomacy. Trump had warned earlier Tuesday that if Iran did not reopen the strait by his deadline, “a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again” — rhetoric that drew condemnation from Pope Leo XIV, who called the threat “truly unacceptable” .
Pakistan Brokers the Deal
The ceasefire was brokered by Pakistan, whose Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir worked to mediate between the two sides. Sharif asked Trump to extend the deadline by two weeks while requesting Iran to open the strait for a corresponding period as a goodwill gesture .
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“I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY,” Sharif posted on X .
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Tehran would allow safe passage through the strait for two weeks, with vessel movements to be coordinated by Iranian armed forces. “If attacks against Iran are halted, our powerful armed forces will cease their defensive operations,” Araghchi said .
Heavy Strikes Before the Deadline
The ceasefire announcement came after significant infrastructure strikes by US and Israeli forces. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said attacks hit railways and bridges allegedly used by the Revolutionary Guards. The Israeli military also acknowledged damaging a synagogue in Tehran, saying it had been targeting a senior Iranian commander .
Iranian authorities reported strikes on a bridge outside the city of Qom and a rail bridge in central Iran that killed two people . Meanwhile, retaliatory attacks by Iran continued to affect Gulf states, with Qatar reporting that four people were injured by falling missile debris, including a child .
Israel’s Position and Lebanon Exclusion
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement released hours after the ceasefire announcement, said: “Israel supports President Trump’s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region” .
However, the statement clarified that “the ceasefire does not include Lebanon,” where Israel has been conducting ground operations against Hezbollah. The distinction suggests that Israel may continue its campaign against the Iranian-backed militia even as hostilities with Iran are paused .
Trump noted that US military objectives “have already been met and exceeded,” framing the pause as allowing both sides to finalize a comprehensive agreement .
Iran’s 10-Point Proposal
Trump revealed that the US had received a 10-point proposal from Iran, which he described as “a workable basis on which to negotiate.” According to Iranian media, the proposal includes demands such as:
- A US commitment to ensure no further acts of aggression
- Continued Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz
- Acceptance of Iran’s nuclear enrichment rights
- Full lifting of sanctions
- Compensation for reconstruction costs
Araghchi stressed that the temporary ceasefire “does not mean an end to war, pending negotiations on the details of the 10-point proposal” .
Nuclear Tensions Remain
Before the ceasefire, US and Israeli forces had intensified their campaign against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. According to CNN, Israel has systematically targeted nuclear scientists and knowledge centers, aiming to “cut off all the roots” of Iran’s nuclear program .
Targets included Mohammad Reza Kia, a nuclear engineering doctoral candidate, and Ali Fouladvand, a scientist at SPND, an organization long accused by Western powers of serving as a front for nuclear weapons research. The organization’s founder, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was assassinated by Israel years ago .
Despite Israel striking key nuclear facilities, experts warn that Iran retains enough highly enriched uranium — more than 400 kilograms — and accumulated technical knowledge to potentially build a simplified nuclear device within one to two years if it chooses to weaponize its program .
Oil Prices Plunge, Markets React
The ceasefire announcement triggered immediate market reactions. Oil prices plunged by more than 17 percent, while stock markets surged in early Asian trading . The sharp drop in crude prices reflects market relief that the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for one-fifth of global oil supply — will temporarily reopen, easing supply concerns that had driven prices to multi-year highs.
Costs at the pump had risen sharply for ordinary Americans since the war began, putting significant political pressure on Trump .
Next Steps: Talks in Islamabad
Pakistan has invited both delegations to meet in Islamabad on Friday to “further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes” . White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged ongoing discussions about in-person talks but said “nothing is final until announced by the President or the White House” .
Already, the two countries appear to have contradictory positions on what the ceasefire entails. While the US sees it as a path toward ending hostilities, Iran has publicly released maximalist demands that include the complete withdrawal of US forces from the region — a condition Washington is unlikely to accept .
SOURCES / INPUTS
- Bernama: Trump Announces Two-Week Ceasefire With Iran
- Xinhua: Iran, U.S. agree to 2-week ceasefire, negotiations to be held in Pakistan
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