By Micah Jonah, April 8, 2026
Iran has confirmed a two-week ceasefire agreement with the United States and announced that formal negotiations between both sides will begin in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday.
The announcement followed a statement by Donald Trump indicating that the United States would suspend further military action for two weeks to allow diplomatic efforts to proceed.
According to Iran’s National Security Council, the upcoming talks will be based on a 10-point proposal submitted by Tehran, which addresses key issues including control over the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of international sanctions.
The ceasefire is tied to conditions set by Washington, including Iran’s agreement to ensure the “complete, immediate and safe opening” of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
Iran had partially restricted access to the strait following US and Israeli strikes on its territory which began on February 28. The disruption significantly affected global trade, leading to rising oil prices and fuel supply challenges in several regions.
In a statement, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would halt its defensive military operations if attacks against the country ceased. He added that safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz would be coordinated with Iran’s armed forces.
The ceasefire also follows broader regional escalation, with allied groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi forces in Yemen launching attacks against Israeli targets, expanding the scope of the conflict.
President Trump stated that the United States had made significant progress towards achieving its military objectives and described Iran’s proposal as a “workable basis” for a long-term agreement. He noted that most key issues had been addressed in preliminary discussions and expressed optimism that the two-week pause would allow for a final agreement to be reached.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that both sides had agreed to an immediate ceasefire and formally invited delegations from the United States and Iran to Islamabad for negotiations scheduled for April 10.
Details of Iran’s 10-point proposal include demands for the withdrawal of US combat forces from the Middle East, an end to military operations against allied groups, full compensation for war-related damages, and the lifting of sanctions imposed by the United States, the United Nations Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The proposal also calls for the release of frozen Iranian assets and for any agreement to be formalized through a binding UN resolution.
Despite agreeing to negotiations, Iranian authorities expressed caution, stating that the talks would proceed with “complete distrust” of the United States. Officials also warned that Iran remains prepared to respond decisively to any renewed military action.
There has been no immediate response from Israel regarding the ceasefire or the planned negotiations.
