US and Iran Reach Temporary Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Tensions

In a significant diplomatic development, the United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, announced by President Trump shortly before a critical deadline. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited both nations to Islamabad for peace talks aimed at establishing a lasting agreement. This ceasefire comes amid ongoing tensions, including recent Israeli attacks in Lebanon. As the situation evolves, both countries express hope for a successful resolution. Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming negotiations and their potential impact on regional stability.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 8, 2026, 07:45 IST

Ceasefire Agreement Announced

Islamabad: The United States and Iran have come to a temporary agreement for a two-week ceasefire. This announcement was made by US President Donald Trump just 90 minutes before a deadline he set to take drastic action against Iran, which was scheduled for Tuesday at 8:00 PM (Eastern Time). Following this development, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended an invitation to both US and Iranian officials to convene in Islamabad for discussions aimed at establishing a lasting peace agreement. Sharif noted that all involved parties, including those in Lebanon, have consented to the ceasefire. This comes as Israel has initiated attacks in southern Lebanon targeting the Iran-supported Hezbollah group. "I am honored to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon and beyond, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY," the Prime Minister stated in a post on X.

According to Sharif, the peace negotiations in Islamabad are set to commence on April 10. "I warmly welcome this wise gesture and express my deepest gratitude to the leaders of both nations, inviting their delegations to Islamabad on Friday, April 10, 2026, to negotiate a comprehensive agreement to resolve all disputes," he added. "Both sides have shown exceptional wisdom and understanding, remaining constructively engaged in promoting peace and stability. We sincerely hope that the ‘Islamabad Talks’ will lead to sustainable peace and look forward to sharing more positive developments in the days ahead!"

Trump's Announcement of Ceasefire

Trump's Ceasefire Announcement: In a surprising turn of events, Trump revealed the ceasefire on his Truth Social account on Tuesday evening, amidst calls from Democrats for his removal due to his extreme threats against Iran. "Following discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir of Pakistan, who requested that I refrain from deploying destructive forces to Iran, contingent upon Iran's agreement to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz," Trump stated in his social media post. "I agree to halt the bombing and attacks on Iran for a duration of two weeks," he confirmed, adding that a mutual ceasefire would be in effect.

Iran's Response

What Iran Said? In Tehran, the Supreme National Security Council of Iran announced its acceptance of the two-week ceasefire and confirmed its willingness to negotiate with the US in Islamabad starting Friday.

The conflict escalated on February 28 when the US and Israel conducted airstrikes on Tehran, resulting in the deaths of several high-ranking officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military installations in Gulf nations, as well as their oil facilities. Additionally, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) blocked the crucial Strait of Hormuz, leading to an energy crisis in the region.