WASHINGTON: A temporary ceasefire has been announced between the United States and Iran following a period of rising military tensions in the region.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the ceasefire in an early-morning post on X, welcoming the move and extending his “deepest gratitude” to the leadership of both countries. Both sides have displayed “.
“With the greatest humility, 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.
I warmly welcome the sagacious gesture and extend deepest gratitude to the leadership of both the countries and invite their delegations to Islamabad on Friday, 10th April 2026, to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes.
Both parties have displayed remarkable wisdom and understanding and have remained constructively engaged in furthering the cause of peace and stability. We earnestly hope, that the ‘Islamabad Talks’ succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in coming days!” he wrote on X.
The agreement, described as a two-week pause in hostilities, was confirmed after statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said that planned military strikes would be suspended to allow time for diplomatic efforts.
According to initial reports, the ceasefire is conditional and depends on actions from both sides. One of the key expectations is that Iran will ensure the reopening and security of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil.
In return, the United States has agreed to halt further attacks during the two-week period. However, neither side has described the arrangement as a long-term solution, and officials have stressed that it is a temporary measure aimed at reducing immediate tensions.
Iranian authorities have also indicated that formal negotiations with the United States are expected to begin soon. These talks are likely to focus on broader issues such as economic sanctions, regional security, and nuclear policy.
Reports suggest that a structured proposal from Iran may serve as the basis for discussion during the upcoming meetings.
The ceasefire comes at a crucial moment, as fears of a wider conflict had been growing in recent weeks. International observers have expressed cautious optimism, noting that even a short pause in fighting could create space for dialogue and reduce the risk of escalation involving other countries in the region.
Global markets have already reacted to the development, particularly in the energy sector, where concerns over supply disruptions had been increasing. Despite this positive response, uncertainty remains high, and the situation is expected to depend heavily on the outcome of the planned negotiations.
