Iranian people in Tehran celebrate the reaching of the ceasefire agreement on April 8, 2026. Photo: VCG

In a stunning turn of events closely watched by the world, the US-Israeli operation against Iran that had dragged on for over a month has dramatically reversed, ushering in a significant de-escalation of tensions. Hours after US President Donald Trump threatened "a whole civilization will die," the US leader announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday night. Iranian side later confirmed the two-week ceasefire deal negotiated by Pakistan, saying it does not mean an end to the war with release of Tehran's 10-point peace plan. 

In a Truth Social post on Tuesday local time, Trump claimed that he has agreed to "suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks." He wrote that his decision is "subject to" Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

"The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East," Trump said. "We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate," he said.

Hours later, in a statement published by Mehr News Agency, Iran's Supreme National Security Council has confirmed the reported two weeks ceasefire deal negotiated by Pakistan. The statement said that the ceasefire agreement was reached with the approval of Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, per the Al Jazeera. 

The statement said deal is a "victory for Iran," adding that negotiations for a permanent deal will be held in Islamabad on Friday, said the report.  

According to Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency, Iran's 10-point plan includes US commitment to ensure no further acts of aggression; Continued Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz; Acceptance of Iran's nuclear enrichment rights; Lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions; Payment of damages to Iran for loss in the war; Withdrawal of US combat forces from the region.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday shared a statement on behalf of Iran's Supreme National Security Council on X, saying that "for a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran's armed forces and with due consideration to technical limitations."

"If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations," read the statement.

Following US and Iran's announcements, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in an X post on Friday that the ceasefire deal between Iran and US, along with their allies, is "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," Sharif wrote in the post.  

He stressed that both parties have displayed "remarkable wisdom and understanding" and have remained constructively engaged in furthering the cause of peace and stability throughout this high-stakes mediation. "We earnestly hope, that the 'Islamabad Talks' succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in coming days!"

Zhu Yongbiao, a Middle East affairs expert at Lanzhou University, told the Global Times that as both sides were locked in a very painful stalemate, continuing the conflict would make the costs of war increasingly unbearable. Therefore, negotiations are aligned with the expectations of both parties.

According to Zhu, from the US perspective, for the most parts of Iran's 10-point proposal, may be unrealistic, particularly demands such as lifting sanctions and providing compensation.

"This 10-point plan serves as an opening statement for negotiations," Zhu said. "However, the actual text of a long-standing ceasefire agreement will still require further communication between the two sides."

As concerns over a potential military conflict in the Middle East eased significantly, Brent crude oil prices pulled back sharply on Tuesday, while spot gold price rose. Stocks are rushing higher worldwide on Tuesday as a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East helps stabilize investors' sentiment and alleviate fears of energy supply shocks.

Some regional countries have express welcome to the ceasefire. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said Baghdad hopes the truce will deescalate tensions and lead to strengthening security and stability in the region, Al Jazeera reported. 

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the move "represents a very important opportunity that must be seized to make room for negotiations, diplomacy and constructive dialogue" in a statement on Facebook.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he supports temporary truce subject to Iran opening straits, according to Xinhua. 

Israel supports the US-Iran two-week ceasefire, "subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Office said Wednesday.

The ceasefire does not include Lebanon, the office said in a statement.

Before that, one unnamed Israeli official was quoted by Al Jazeera as saying that the ceasefire deal came as a complete surprise. It came to them as a last-minute notification, as it did for everybody else. The CNN quoted an Israeli source saying that Israeli officials are concerned about the temporary ceasefire agreement the US has reached with Iran, but Israel will abide by the ceasefire. 

According to AL Jazeera, in the hour and a half or so since the announcement by President Trump about the ceasefire, there have been at least two Israeli air strikes here in Lebanon.

The Chinese expert added that in the short term, it is highly likely that the US will conduct parallel talks with Israel and Iran simultaneously. At the same time, Israel and Iran are expected to continue their hostile posture toward each other.

Besides Pakistan's mediation, China and Russia on Tuesday blocked a UN Security Council resolution, which "strongly encourages" states interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate efforts of a defensive nature to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation across the strait.

China's permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong said at the UN event on Tuesday that the UN Security Council's actions must not grant a license to the use of force, let alone further exacerbate tensions and add fuel to the fire, according to the Xinhua News Agency.