Pakistani PM confirms Iran, US agreed to immediate ceasefire

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Pakistani PM confirms Iran, US agreed to immediate ceasefire

2026-04-08 09:03 Last Updated At：11:58

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday that Iran and United States, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire across all conflict zones, including Lebanon.

"I warmly welcome the sagacious gesture and extend my deepest gratitude to the leadership of both 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 on X.

The ceasefire between Iran and the United States will take effect at 03:30 Tehran time on Wednesday, said the Pakistani prime minister.

Pakistan has been a key negotiator seeking to reach a diplomatic solution between the two warring parties.

The announcement came on the heels of a declaration by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said that he had agreed to suspend planned bombing and attacks on Iran for a period of two weeks following his conversations with Sharif and Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Trump tied the suspension to Iran's agreement to the "complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz," describing the arrangement as a "double-sided ceasefire," in a statement on his Truth Social account.

He said that the United States has already met and exceeded all military objectives and is far advanced in negotiations toward a long-term peace agreement with Iran.

The U.S. president confirmed that Washington has received a 10-point proposal from Tehran, describing it as "a workable basis on which to negotiate."

He said that almost all points of contention have been agreed upon, with the two-week window allowing the agreement to be finalized.

He also said that the current long-term problem is close to resolution.

Trump's declaration ‌on social media represents an abrupt turnaround from earlier in the day, when he threatened that Iran's "whole civilization would die tonight" if a deal is not reached.

A senior White House official revealed on Tuesday that Israel had agreed to join the two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran announced by Trump.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi promised safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz during the two-week ceasefire under "coordination" with Iranian armed forces, saying that Iran will cease "defensive operations" if attacks against it stop.

He also said Iran would hold negotiations with the United States in Islamabad, stressing that the temporary ceasefire does not mean an end to war, pending negotiations on details of its 10-point plan.

Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities on Feb. 28, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes against Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East, while tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz by restricting passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States.

Israeli tank fire, Hezbollah explosive likely killed 3 UN peacekeepers in Lebanon: spokesperson

Preliminary findings indicate that Israeli tank fire and a Hezbollah explosive were likely responsible for the deaths of three Indonesian peacekeepers in Lebanon last week, a UN spokesperson said at a daily briefing on Tuesday.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) shared the initial findings of its inquiry with the governments of Indonesia, Israel and Lebanon, said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

He said these are preliminary findings based on initial physical evidence, adding that a full UN investigation continues.

The spokesman said that all actors must fulfill their obligations to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers at all times. The inviolability of UN installations must be respected.

"These incidents are unacceptable. We have requested with the relevant parties that the cases be investigated and prosecuted by national authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure criminal accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. Attacks on United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law," said Dujarric.

The three Indonesian peacekeepers were killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon in late March. A UN investigation determined that one died when Israeli tank fire struck a UNIFIL position on March 29. The next day, two others were killed when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle in a logistics convoy near Bani Hayyan. Initial findings pointed to a roadside blast.

UNIFIL paid tribute to the life and work of the fallen peacekeepers in an April 2 ceremony at Rafik Hariri International Airport, Beirut, before their remains were repatriated.

The three peacekeepers were posthumously awarded medals in recognition of their dedicated service to UNIFIL's mission in southern Lebanon.

On Saturday, the remains of the three fallen Indonesian peacekeepers arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport where they were received with honors by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto before being transferred to their respective hometowns for final rites.

The secretary-general earlier condemned the killings, extended his deepest condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers and to the government of Indonesia, while expressing appreciation for the courage and service of all men and women serving with UNIFIL.

The UN Security Council, which mandated the UNIFIL mission, also condemned the attacks in a statement, offering condolences to the victims' families and to Indonesia. Council members reaffirmed their full support for UNIFIL.