EXPLAINER<\/span><\/p>\n The US and Iran agree to a two-week truce on Tuesday, just an hour before Trump\u2019s deadline to escalate the conflict expired.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Published On 8 Apr 2026<\/span>8 Apr 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Iran says it has accepted a two-week ceasefire<\/a>, with talks set to begin on Friday in Pakistan\u2019s capital, Islamabad, after United States President Donald Trump agreed to suspend attacks on the condition that Tehran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi said safe passage through the strategic waterway will be ensured for two weeks through coordination with the country\u2019s armed forces.<\/p>\n Trump\u2019s move followed a request from Pakistan\u2019s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who urged Washington to extend its deadline for a deal and called on Iran to reopen the strait.<\/p>\n US, Iran, Israel agree to last-minute ceasefire:<\/strong> The US, Iran and Israel agreed to a two-week truce on Tuesday<\/a>, just an hour before Trump\u2019s deadline to escalate the conflict expired. Tehran agreed to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while the White House confirmed Israel\u2019s participation. The breakthrough followed talks with Pakistan\u2019s leadership, which had pushed for a ceasefire.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Hormuz terms under ceasefire:<\/strong> Under the agreement, safe passage will be coordinated, with Iran and Oman allowed to charge transit fees on passing ships. Tehran plans to use the revenue for post-war reconstruction.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Ten-point peace plan:<\/strong> Talks are set to begin on Friday in Islamabad, mediated by Pakistan\u2019s prime minister. Tehran\u2019s proposal<\/a> includes lifting sanctions, creating a war-loss fund, a potential US troop withdrawal from the Gulf, and recognition of Iran\u2019s right to enrich uranium in exchange for a pledge not to build nuclear weapons. It is unclear whether the US has agreed to any of these proposals.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Tehran synagogue struck:<\/strong> The Israeli military accepted that an overnight strike \u2013 which it said was targeting a senior Iranian commander \u2013 caused \u201ccollateral damage\u201d to a synagogue in Tehran, expressing regret over the incident.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Tehran leaders project strength:<\/strong> Al Jazeera\u2019s Mohamed Vall reported from Tehran a \u201cfeeling of pride among the leaders\u201d, who are telling the public that \u201cthis war is ending on Iran\u2019s terms\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Trump says China helped bring Iran to talks:<\/strong> Donald Trump told AFP he believed China played a role in pushing Iran to negotiate the two-week ceasefire. \u201cI hear yes,\u201d he said when asked whether Beijing was involved in bringing its ally Tehran to the table.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n NATO chief to meet Trump in Washington:<\/strong> Mark Rutte is set to meet Trump on Wednesday, with discussions expected to focus on the Iran situation as well as Russia\u2019s ongoing war in Ukraine, according to a NATO official.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Regional reactions:<\/strong> The ceasefire has triggered street celebrations<\/a> in Tehran and Baghdad, with Iranian leaders declaring the conflict is ending \u201con Iran\u2019s terms\u201d. However, some citizens remain sceptical, warning the US and Israel may be using the pause to \u201cbuy time\u201d and regroup.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Israel backs truce with limits:<\/strong> The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed support<\/a> for the US decision to suspend strikes on Iran, but stressed the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n A fragile exit, and a narrow diplomatic window:<\/strong> Analyst Trita Parsi described the ceasefire as a strategic retreat by Trump, arguing the conflict had \u201cbecome an absolute disaster\u201d and forced the White House to seek a way out. \u201cTrump needed an exit, and he took it,\u201d he said, warning the next two weeks will be decisive, either opening a path to genuine diplomacy or allowing tensions to flare again.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Parsi noted there is \u201cpotential\u201d for meaningful talks, but cautioned \u201cwe\u2019re not quite there yet,\u201d underscoring the fragility of the moment. Even if negotiations fail, he added, a return to full-scale war is unlikely in the same form. Iran still retains key leverage, particularly its ability to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, giving it the capacity to exert sustained pressure on both Washington and the global economy.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n US journalist released in Iraq:<\/strong> Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the release of American journalist Shelly Kittleson<\/a>, who had been kidnapped in Iraq days earlier. Her freedom came after the armed group Kataib Hezbollah said it would release her on the condition she leave the country immediately.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Scrutiny over \u2018perfectly timed\u2019 bets:<\/strong> An online prediction platform, Polymarket, is facing questions over possible insider trading after an anonymous user reportedly made $400,000 by accurately betting on the start of US military action and the timing of the ceasefire \u2014 raising concerns about leaks tied to geopolitical decisions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Iran-aligned groups pause operations in Iraq:<\/strong> The Islamic Resistance in Iraq said it will observe the truce, suspending military operations in Iraq and across the region for two weeks.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Deadly strikes in Iraq before ceasefire took hold:<\/strong> The truce followed a final surge in violence, with Iraqi officials reporting that strikes late on Tuesday killed at least seven people, including two children.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/image-1-1-1727085849.jpg?resize=96%2C96&quality=80)
<\/div>\nIn Iran:<\/h2>\n
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War diplomacy:<\/h2>\n
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In the Gulf<\/h2>\n
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In the US<\/h2>\n
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In Israel<\/h2>\n
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In Iraq and Lebanon<\/h2>\n
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Global economy<\/h2>\n
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