As the conflict entered its 40th day on Wednesday, April 8, US President Donald Trump announced a two-week suspension of American attacks on Iran, while Tehran indicated it would halt defensive operations if strikes against it cease, marking a fragile opening for de-escalation.
The war, which began on February 28, has now entered its sixth week, killing more than 5,000 people across nearly a dozen countries, including over 1,600 civilians in Iran, according to official and human rights estimates.
Key developments here
UN chief urges compliance and lasting peace
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement.
Guterres called on all parties “to comply with their obligations under international law and to abide by the terms of the ceasefire” to pave the way for a lasting and comprehensive peace.
He stressed that ending hostilities is urgently needed to protect civilians and reduce human suffering.
Dujarric added that the UN chief’s personal envoy, Jean Arnault, is currently in the region to support diplomatic efforts towards a sustained peace.
US says American journalist released in Iraq
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that kidnapped American journalist Shelley Kittleson has been released in Iraq.
No further details were immediately provided regarding the circumstances of the release.
Trump comments on Iran’s uranium stockpile
US President Donald Trump said Iran’s uranium stockpile would be “perfectly taken care of” under the proposed agreement, though he did not provide details on how this would be implemented.
The remarks come amid ongoing negotiations linked to the ceasefire framework, with the handling of Iran’s nuclear programme expected to be a central issue in talks.
Aviation sector warns of prolonged fuel disruption
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens, it could take several months for jet fuel supplies to stabilise.
The disruption to one of the world’s most critical energy routes has already affected aviation fuel logistics and supply chains, raising concerns across the sector.
The warning underscores that a ceasefire alone may not immediately restore global energy and aviation markets, with recovery expected to be gradual despite diplomatic progress.
Israeli shelling reported in south Lebanon
Lebanon’s Al Jadeed TV reported that Israeli forces shelled the town of Baraachit.
The reported strike comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the regional truce involving the United States and its allies does not extend to Lebanon.
Trump calls ceasefire a ‘complete victory’ for US
US President Donald Trump described the agreement with Iran as a “complete and total victory” for the United States in remarks to AFP.
He said the issue of Iran’s uranium programme would be addressed thoroughly as part of ongoing negotiations, signalling continued focus on nuclear concerns.
Trump also claimed that China played a role in bringing Tehran to the negotiating table, saying he believed Beijing had pushed Iran towards talks.
‘We will make the enemy kneel’: Hezbollah shares stark message after ceasefire
The Hezbollah has not issued a direct statement on the ceasefire.
However, the group shared a January message attributed to Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei alongside an image showing torn US and Israeli flags.
“We will make the enemy kneel,” the message read.
Israeli PM’s office says ceasefire does not include Lebanon
In a statement posted by the Prime Minister’s Office, Israel said it supports US President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks, provided Tehran immediately opens the Strait of Hormuz and halts attacks on the United States, Israel and other countries in the region.
The statement added that Israel continues to support efforts to ensure Iran does not pose a nuclear or regional security threat, and noted that the proposed two-week ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon.
Watch: Iraqis gathered to celebrate in Baghdad
Videos circulating on social media and shared by Tasnim News Agency appeared to show crowds gathering in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square following reports of a ceasefire.
The footage was described as showing people celebrating what was portrayed as a US retreat.
Watch: Celebrations in Tehran after ceasefire announcement
Videos circulating on X showed people in Tehran gathering in parts of the city following the announcement of the two-week ceasefire.
Clips shared by accounts including Iran in India appeared to show individuals waving Iranian flags and celebrating what was described as a victory.
Markets react as oil prices ease
Global markets showed a cautious positive response following the ceasefire announcement, with oil prices falling sharply, according to analysts.
Alex Holmes of the Economist Intelligence Unit told Al Jazeera that while markets have rallied, uncertainty remains over whether the truce will hold.
“The key will be signals from Israel, Iran and other parties on whether this ceasefire is sustained,” Holmes said, adding that negotiations still face significant hurdles and markets remain in a wait-and-see mode.
Despite the decline, he noted that oil prices remain elevated compared to levels seen before the conflict escalated in late February.
According to Reuters, US crude futures dropped around 16 percent to UsD 94.59 a barrel, while Brent crude fell about 15 percent to UsD 92.35 per barrel following the ceasefire announcement.
Iraqi armed groups announce temporary halt
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq said it would suspend operations in Iraq and across the region for two weeks following the ceasefire announcement between Washington and Tehran.
The decision, announced in a statement, signals a broader pause among Iran-aligned groups and reflects a temporary easing of tensions across multiple fronts during the negotiation period.
Proposal to introduce transit fees under discussion
Iran and Oman could be permitted to charge ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations, according to a regional official cited by CNN.
If implemented, the move would mark a significant shift from longstanding practice, as the strait has traditionally functioned as an international waterway without transit tolls.
White House hails military success
In a post on X, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the operation as a “victory” for the United States, crediting President Donald Trump and the military for achieving key objectives.
She said the campaign, initially expected to last four to six weeks, had met and exceeded its goals within 38 days, adding that the outcome had created leverage for negotiations aimed at a long-term diplomatic solution.
Leavitt also claimed the operation contributed to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while emphasising Washington’s role in advancing peace efforts in the region.
Iran marks 40 days since Khamenei’s assassination
Supporters of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, are expected to gather across the country on Wednesday to mark the 40th day since his assassination, a period of religious significance traditionally observed with public commemorations.
Missile alerts persist across Gulf and Israel despite ceasefire
Despite the ceasefire announcement, missile alerts were reported in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, pointing to lingering instability.
In Israel, sirens continued to sound in Tel Aviv, with authorities reporting a surge in alerts within a brief period, reflecting sustained defensive readiness.
Watch: Hyderabad residents offer prayers for Iran
Special prayers were held in Hyderabad following recent developments in the US-Iran conflict, with members of the Tanzeem-e-Jafferi gathering to express solidarity with the Iranian people.
Fire reported at Habshan gas site in Abu Dhabi, response underway
The Abu Dhabi Media Office (ADMO) announced that relevant authorities are responding to a fire at the Habshan gas processing facility, with emergency teams on site managing the situation.
Iran outlines 10-point proposal for lasting ceasefire
At the centre of Tehran’s position is a detailed 10-point proposal setting out the conditions it considers essential for a durable ceasefire and broader regional stability.
The framework calls for a complete halt to hostilities across multiple fronts, including Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, alongside a permanent end to military action against Iran with no time limit.
It also proposes ending all regional conflicts in their entirety and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with mechanisms to guarantee safe and secure navigation through the strategic waterway.
The proposal further demands full compensation to Iran for reconstruction, a comprehensive lifting of sanctions, and the release of Iranian funds and assets currently frozen by the United States.
In return, Iran commits to not pursuing nuclear weapons and calls for an immediate ceasefire across all fronts upon acceptance of these conditions.
Pakistan confirms talks and broader ceasefire scope
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has been involved in mediation efforts, said Iranian and US delegations are expected to meet in Islamabad on Friday for further negotiations.
In a post on X, Sharif said the United States and Iran, “along with their allies”, had agreed to an immediate ceasefire. He added that the truce would apply across multiple fronts, “including Lebanon and elsewhere”, and includes a halt to Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon.
Escalation before deadline
In the hours leading up to Trump’s deadline, US and Israeli forces intensified strikes on infrastructure, including transport links and energy facilities. US forces also struck sites on Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub.
Iran signalled it could expand attacks to regional infrastructure and maritime targets in the Gulf, while explosions were reported in Doha late Tuesday, according to Reuters witnesses.
Israel signals support for pause
According to CNN, a senior White House official said Israel had agreed to suspend its air campaign during the proposed negotiation window, aligning with Washington’s push for a temporary halt in hostilities. However, Israeli authorities have not issued a detailed public statement outlining the terms, and military operations continued in the hours surrounding the announcement.
Iran agrees to pause under strict conditions
Iran signalled conditional acceptance through its Supreme National Security Council, with Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi saying on X that Tehran would halt defensive operations if attacks against the country end.
The statement added that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz would continue under Iranian coordination during the proposed period, while stressing that any de-escalation depends on a complete halt to military action.
Tehran has maintained that the temporary pause does not amount to a final settlement and that further negotiations will determine the outcome.
Trump outlines terms for two-week pause
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the suspension was conditional on Iran ensuring the “complete, immediate and safe” reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
“Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, I have agreed to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” he said.
Trump described the move as a “double-sided ceasefire”, adding that US military objectives had been achieved and that a proposal from Tehran offered a workable basis for negotiations.
This story is developing and will be updated with new information.
