US–Israel war on Iran, day 40: Trump, Israel agree to two‑week ceasefire; Iran says talks start Friday in Pakistan

Two vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz early on Wednesday, marking the first confirmed transits since a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran came into effect.

“The Greek-owned bulk carrier NJ Earth crossed the Strait and the Liberia-flagged Daytona Beach transited earlier today, shortly after departing Bandar Abbas”, MarineTraffic said on X.

The development signals a cautious resumption of shipping through one of the world’s most critical energy routes, after weeks of disruption linked to regional tensions.

The United Arab Emirates has expressed its deep disappointment at the UN Security Council's failure to take decisive action to address the global repercussions caused by Iran's illegal closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and failure to adopt a resolution put forward by Bahrain on behalf of the UAE, the State of Kuwait, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to protect the freedom of navigation in the Strait.

The UAE expressed its gratitude to the Kingdom of Bahrain for its diplomatic efforts and stewardship of the draft resolution.

US President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to say: "The United States will work closely with Iran, which we have determined has gone through what will be a very productive Regime Change! There will be no enrichment of Uranium, and the United States will, working with Iran, dig up and remove all of the deeply buried (B-2 Bombers) Nuclear “Dust.”

"It is now, and has been, under very exacting Satellite Surveillance (Space Force!). Nothing has been touched from the date of attack. We are, and will be, talking Tariff and Sanctions relief with Iran. Many of the 15 points have already been been agreed to.

He also threatens any countries working to bolster Iran's military might with sanctions. He wrote: "A country supplying Military Weapons to Iran will be immediately tariffed, on any and all goods sold to the United States of America, 50%, effective immediately. There will be no exclusions or exemptions!"

Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned on Tuesday that they had "no trust" in promises from the United States despite a two-week ceasefire deal, adding that their "finger was on the trigger".

"The Iranian nation's dedicated guards are listening to the orders of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, His Holiness Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, and their finger is on the trigger," read a statement on their Telegram channel.

Calling on Gulf countries to end their "cooperation" with the United States, the Guards added: "The enemy has always been deceitful, and we have no trust in its promises, and we will respond to every aggression at a greater level."

Thailand's foreign minister confirmed on Wednesday the deaths of three Thai crew members of a cargo ship struck by Iran while transiting the Strait of Hormuz a month ago.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February prompted Tehran to respond by effectively closing the strait, a crucial artery for global oil supplies, and launching attacks on vessels.

The Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree was struck on March 11 while travelling through the Gulf waterway, after departing a port in the United Arab Emirates.

Twenty Thai crew members returned home in mid-March, while three others had been reported missing and presumed trapped in the damaged engine room of the vessel.

"Unfortunately, the three remaining crew members we found eventually, they lost their lives in the incident," Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told reporters on Wednesday.

Sihasak thanked Omani authorities for their help in rescuing the 20 returned crew.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Wednesday of the threat from "possible provocations and sabotage" to the ceasefire accord agreed by Iran and the United States.

In a message on X welcoming the last-minute accord, Erdogan said: "We hope that the ceasefire will be fully implemented on the ground without giving any opportunity for possible provocations and sabotage.".

The Ministry of Defence announced that on 8th April 2026, UAE air defence systems successfully engaged 17 ballistic missile and 35 UAVs launched from Iran.

Since the onset of these blatant Iranian attacks, UAE air defences have engaged a total of 537 ballistic missiles, 26 cruise missiles, and 2,256 UAV’s.

Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates after airstrikes against oil facilities on Iran's Lavan island on Wednesday morning, state television reported.

"Missile and drone attacks on the Emirates and Kuwait have taken place a few hours after the targeting of Lavan island oil facilities in Iran," IRIB said in a report.

State TV also quoted the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company as saying the Lavan Oil Refinery facility on the island "was subjected to a cowardly attack" at 10 am (0630 GMT).

US President Donald Trump’s strategy was simple: Escalate to the extreme, force a crisis, then step back.

It worked — tactically.

But strategically, little appears to have changed.

Iran’s leadership remains in place, its security apparatus led by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps remains intact, and its nuclear programme — including an estimated 970 pounds of near-bomb-grade material — remains untouched, the very issue that triggered the conflict in the first place.

Read more about Trump’s Iran playbook.

US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday welcomed a "fragile truce" with Iran, urging Tehran to negotiate in "good faith" to reach a long-team deal and warning US President Donald Trump was "not one to mess around".

"If the Iranians are willing in good faith to work with us, I think we can make an agreement," Vance said during a visit to Budapest.

He added if the Iranians don't come to the negotiating table, "they're going to find out that the President of the United States is not one to mess around. He's impatient. He's impatient to make progress."

Kuwait’s military said it has responded to an “extensive wave” of drone attacks targeting oil and power facilities despite the ceasefire announcement.

The military said it engaged 31 drones that targeted the oil-rich county since 8 a.m. Wednesday.

The attacks caused significant damage at oil and power facilities and water desalination plants.

Air defense systems are currently responding to a missile threat. Please remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates.

Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday hailed the ceasefire between the United States and Iran as a "sign of real hope".

"I welcome with satisfaction, and as a sign of real hope, the announcement of an immediate two-week truce. Only by returning to negotiations can we reach the end of the war," the Catholic leader said at the end of his weekly audience at the Vatican.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that Ukrainian military teams helping Middle East countries counter Iranian drone attacks would stay in the region even after the United States and Iran agreed a two week ceasefire.

"Ukrainian expert military teams will continue to work in the region to help further develop security capabilities," Zelensky said in a statement on social media, in which he praised the ceasefire deal and called for halt to the Russian invasion of his country.

The Israeli military on Wednesday urged residents of Beirut's southern suburbs to evacuate, its third warning for residents of Lebanon since Washington announced a ceasefire with Iran.

"Urgent warning to residents of the southern suburbs ... The IDF continues operations and attacks Hezbollah's military infrastructure across the southern suburbs," the military's Arabic-language spokesman, Colonel Avichay Adraee, said on X

"For your safety, you must evacuate immediately," he said, giving names of several neighbourhoods to be evacuated, including Haret Hreik, Burj Al-Barajneh and Ghobeiry.

Israel's military said Wednesday it had halted its attacks on Iran after completing a wave of overnight strikes, but emphasised it remained ready to respond to any violation of a ceasefire announced by Washington.

"In accordance with directives from the political leadership, the IDF has ceased fire in the campaign against Iran and remains on high alert in defence, ready to respond to any violation," the military said in a statement.

Iraq's civil aviation authority said it was reopening the country's airspace on Wednesday following the announcement of a US-Iran ceasefire, after it was closed due to the Middle East war.

"The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority announces the reopening of Iraqi airspace to air traffic effective today, following the stabilisation of the situation and the return of conditions to normal," it said in a statement.

Abu Dhabi: Two Emiratis and one Indian national sustained minor injuries after falling debris from a successfully intercepted aerial threat struck the Habshan gas processing complex, authorities said, as emergency teams worked to contain several small fires at the site.

Abu Dhabi Media Office confirmed the incident was caused by debris following an interception by air defence systems.

Operations at the facility have been temporarily suspended as a precaution while the situation is being assessed.

President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday France welcomed the ceasefire between the US and Iran, calling the agreement a "very good thing."

"We expect, in the coming days and weeks, that it will be fully respected throughout the region and will allow negotiations to take place," Macron said at the start of a meeting of top defence and security officials.

"Our wish is to ensure that the ceasefire fully includes Lebanon," he added.

European stock markets soared at the start of trading Wednesday after the United States and Iran agreed a two-week ceasefire, with investor relief sending the Frankfurt index surging five percent.

Paris rallied 3.5 percent and London jumped three percent in initial deals, with airlines among the biggest gainers as oil prices plunged.

Pro-Iran armed factions in Iraq announced on Wednesday a two-week halt to their attacks on "enemy bases" in the region after the start of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

"The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announces the suspension of its operations in Iraq and the region for two weeks," the alliance said in a short statement on Telegram.

Protesters stormed the Kuwaiti Consulate in the southern Iraqi city of Basra late Tuesday.

Kuwait said in a statement it condemns the action by protesters opposed to the U.S. military’s use of numerous bases in Kuwait for launching attacks against Iran.

“Kuwait holds Iraq fully and directly responsible for this assault and for any shortcomings in taking the appropriate measures to protect diplomatic and consular missions on its territory,” the statement said.

Kuwait said it would “negatively impact bilateral relations” between the countries, which share a border.

“The State of Kuwait affirms that it is not a party to any regional or international conflict and that it has not and will not allow its territory to be used to launch an attack against any country, in accordance with its foreign policy,” the statement added.

The Iraqi government condemned the incident and said it will launch an investigation. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain issued statements supporting Kuwait.

Two people sustained light injuries following an Iranian drone attack in Bahrain on Wednesday, the interior ministry said, hours after a US-Iran truce took effect.

"As a result of the Iranian aggression, two citizens sustained minor injuries and a number of houses were damaged in the Sitra area as a result of shrapnel falling from the interception of an Iranian drone," the Bahraini interior ministry said in a post on X.

Israel renewed its strikes on southern Lebanon on Wednesday, state media reported, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted the Iran war truce does not include Lebanon.

The Israeli army also issued an evacuation warning for a building near the southern city of Tyre.

Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, which drew Lebanon into the Middle East war by attacking Israel on March 2, has not claimed any operations since 1am (Tuesday 1000 GMT).

The diplomatic adviser to the UAE President said Wednesday that his country had emerged victorious from the US-Iran war after the two nations announced a two-week truce.

"The UAE emerged victorious from a war we sincerely sought to avoid," Anwar Gargash said in a post on X.

"Today, we are poised to navigate a complex regional landscape with greater resources, deeper understanding, and a more robust capacity to influence and shape the future," he added.

European natural gas prices plunged 20 percent at the start of trading Wednesday in the wake of a two-week ceasefire agreed between the United States and Iran.

The Dutch TTF natural gas contract, considered the European benchmark, slumped to 42.5 euros, retreating from highs seen over fears of supply disruptions in the Gulf from the war.

The Israeli military warned residents of Tyre in southern Lebanon to evacuate on Wednesday as it continued to target the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

"Urgent and repeated warning to residents of the city of Tyre, specifically in Shabriha ... you must evacuate your homes immediately," the military's Arabic-language spokesman Colonel Avichay Adraee said on X.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israel said it supported the two-week ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran but maintained the deal "does not include Lebanon", where it has been fighting Hezbollah.

The dollar fell around one percent against the euro and the pound in early European trading Wednesday as investors sold the greenback on relief over a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

At around 8:10 am (0610 GMT) the dollar, usually a safe investment haven in times of market turmoil, was trading at 1.17 euros, down around 1.1 percent. Against the pound, the dollar fell around 0.9 percent to $1.34.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to the Gulf on Wednesday to meet with regional leaders in an effort to bolster the ceasefire in the Middle East war, Downing Street said.

"I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world," a statement quoted Starmer as saying.

"Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz."

Explosions were heard in Bahrain's capital Manama on Wednesday morning, according to an AFP journalist, hours after the United States announced a ceasefire with Iran.

The Gulf kingdom's interior ministry said in a statement that civil defence crews had succeeded in controlling a fire that broke out in a facility "targeted by the sinful Iranian aggression", with no injuries reported.

India's central bank left interest rates unchanged on Wednesday as it assessed the fallout of the Middle East war on the world's fastest-growing major economy.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said the benchmark repurchase rate, the level at which it lends to commercial banks, would remain at 5.25 percent after a unanimous vote by a six-member panel.

A majority of analysts had forecast a pause, given that the bank reduced rates by a cumulative 125 basis points over 2025, before stopping in February.

But some experts had not ruled out a surprise move.

Since beginning on February 28, the Iran war has battered India's rupee, raised inflation risks and clouded New Delhi's economic growth outlook.

But a two-week ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, and a temporary re-opening of the critical Strait of Hormuz, may help reduce fuel pressures and ease cooking gas shortages in the world's most populous nation.

US President Donald Trump has taken to Truth Social to welcome what he called a major step toward peace, saying Iran "wants it to happen" and has "had enough." Trump said the United States would help manage the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that "lots of positive action" was ahead. He struck an optimistic economic tone, saying big money would be made and that Iran could begin its reconstruction process. "Just like we are experiencing in the US, this could be the Golden Age of the Middle East," Trump wrote.

The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire barely an hour before President Donald Trump's Wednesday deadline to obliterate the country was set to expire, with Tehran to temporarily reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Both sides claimed to have won the more than month-long conflict that has roiled global financial markets and sent oil prices skyrocketing, with Trump telling AFP the deal was a "total and complete victory" for the US.

Iran too cast the ceasefire as a win and said it had agreed to talks with Washington to begin Friday in Pakistan on a path to end the conflict.

"The enemy has suffered an undeniable, historic and crushing defeat in its cowardly, illegal and criminal war against the Iranian nation," said a statement from the Iranian Supreme National Security Council.

"Iran achieved a great victory."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the US-Iran two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, his spokesperson said, while urging all parties to work toward long-term peace in the Middle East.

"The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement of a two-week ceasefire by the United States and Iran," his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

He added that the UN chief "calls on all the parties to the current conflict in the Middle East to comply with their obligations under international law and to abide by the terms of the ceasefire in order to pave the way toward a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region."

Israel said Wednesday it supported US President Donald Trump's decision to suspend bombing of Iran for two weeks as part of a ceasefire deal if Tehran reopens the vital Strait of Hormuz.

"Israel supports President Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region," the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

"Israel also supports the US effort to ensure that Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile and terror threat to America, Israel, Iran's Arab neighbors and the world," the statement added.

Israel said Wednesday that a US-Iran ceasefire deal "does not include Lebanon", which was drawn into the war after Iran-backed group Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel.

"The two-weeks ceasefire does not include Lebanon," the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

The statement contradicted an earlier announcement by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has acted as a mediator in the conflict, that said the ceasefire covers "everywhere including Lebanon".

US President Donald Trump told AFP on Tuesday that Iran's uranium would be "perfectly taken care of" under a two-week ceasefire deal with Tehran.

"That will be perfectly taken care of or I wouldn't have settled," Trump said in a telephone interview when asked about what would happen to Iran's enriched uranium.

US President Donald Trump told AFP he believed China had helped get Iran to the negotiating table to agree a two-week ceasefire deal.

"I hear yes," Trump said in a telephone call when asked if Beijing was involved in getting key ally Tehran to negotiate on a truce.

Trump is due to travel to Beijing in May to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

President Donald Trump told AFP on Tuesday that the United States had won a "total and complete victory" after agreeing a two-week ceasefire deal with Iran.

"Total and complete victory. 100 percent. No question about it," Trump said in a brief telephone interview shortly after the announcement of the truce.

NATO chief Mark Rutte will hold talks with Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday, one day after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

The US president has expressed anger at Western partners' refusal to back his war on Iran, rocking the 77-year-old transatlantic alliance.

He branded NATO partners "cowards" for limiting US forces' access to bases on their territories and for refusing to lead efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz.

But NATO's secretary-general touts a record of pulling Trump back onside - and will be looking to do so again when he meets the president, as well as US top diplomat Marco Rubio and defense chief Pete Hegseth.

NATO has been thrust repeatedly into crisis since Trump returned to power last year - most acutely by his threat to seize the vast Arctic island of Greenland from fellow member Denmark.

That followed him pulling the rug from under Ukraine in its war against Russia, threats not to protect allies if they don't spend more on defence, and warnings that Washington could pull troops from Europe.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday praised the two-week ceasefire in the Iran war, calling it a "victory" for the United States.

"This is a victory for the United States that President Trump and our incredible military made happen," Leavitt wrote on X.

"The success of our military created maximum leverage, allowing President Trump and the team to engage in tough negotiations that have now created an opening for a diplomatic solution and long-term peace."

Iran in the Farsi-language version of its 10-point ceasefire plan included the phrase “acceptance of enrichment” for its nuclear program, something that was missing in English versions shared by Iranian diplomats to journalists.

It wasn’t immediately clear why that term was missing.

However, Trump had said ending Iran’s nuclear program entirely was a key point of the war.

Trump after Iran issued its 10-point plan had described it as fraudulent, without elaborating.

The White House is considering in-person talks with Iran but they have not been finalized, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday, after Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

"There are discussions about in-person talks, but nothing is final until announced by the President or the White House," Leavitt said after Iran said it agreed to talks with the United States to begin Friday in Pakistan.

• Trump agrees to two-week US‑Iran ceasefire, contingent on Hormuz reopening.

• Iran confirms truce; safe passage through Strait of Hormuz coordinated with military.

• Pakistan PM Sharif says ceasefire covers Lebanon and elsewhere; talks start Friday in Islamabad.

• Israel continues strikes in Iran despite ceasefire agreement.

• Fire breaks out at Habshan gas facility, Abu Dhabi authorities report.

• Strikes continue in Saudi Arabia; Bahrain urges residents to shelter.

• US confirms release of journalist kidnapped by Iran-backed militia in Iraq.

• Oil drops sharply: US crude −18% ($92.60), Brent −6% ($103.40); S&P 500 +2.4%.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that American journalist Shelley Kittleson, who was kidnapped last week in Iraq, has been released.

Kittleson was abducted by the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah from a street corner in Baghdad on March 31. Rubio said in a statement posted on X, "We are relieved that this American is now freed and are working to support her safe departure from Iraq."

He thanked Iraqi authorities, as well as the FBI and US Defence Department and other US agencies for their work toward securing Kittleson's release.

Israel is still carrying out strikes in Iran, a military spokesperson told CNN.

A senior White House official earlier confirmed that Israel is part of the ceasefire and has agreed to suspend its bombing campaign while negotiations continue.

The announcement of the press conference with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, comes after the president announced the ceasefire agreement.

The two-week ceasefire plan includes allowing both Iran and Oman to charge fees on ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, a regional official said Wednesday.

The official said Iran would use the money it raised for reconstruction. It wasn’t immediately clear what Oman would use its money for.

The strait is in the territorial waters of both Oman and Iran. The world had considered the passage an international waterway and never paid tolls before.

The official, who had been directly involved in the negotiations, spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

Abu Dhabi authorities are currently responding to a fire at the Habshan gas-processing facility. Emergency teams have been deployed to contain the blaze and ensure the safety of personnel and nearby areas.

Officials said further information will be provided as it becomes available, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation.

The public is urged to rely only on official sources and avoid sharing rumours or unverified information.

UAE residents have received a nationwide mobile alert confirming the situation is now safe following earlier warnings of potential missile threats.

Air defence systems successfully responded to the threat, and authorities had urged residents to remain in safe locations and follow official channels for real-time updates.

The alert thanked the public for their cooperation and reassured that normal activities can resume. Officials stressed that all measures are in place to protect civilians and minimise disruption to daily life.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the US, along with their allies, includes “Lebanon and elsewhere” and is effective immediately.

 US military has halted all offensive operations against Iran, US official says, but continues defensive actions. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive military operations, noted that defensive measures and operations would still be in effect.

It comes after President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire agreement with the Islamic Republic.

Iran says it will guarantee safe passage for maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks - says pause will be used for talks with the US on ending the war.

The White House on Tuesday night did not answer messages on why the president described Iran’s 10-point peace plan as “workable.”

Among the points communicated by Tehran were an easing of U.S. sanctions on Iran and “the withdrawal of United States combat forces from all bases and points of deployment within the region.”

In his social media post announcing a postponement of his threatened bombing campaign, Trump wrote: “We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate.”

The White House did not immediately clarify what Trump meant or provide details on what a “basis” for future negotiations might entail.

Authorities in Bahrain have activated warning sirens, advising citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe location.

The United Arab Emirates says its air defence systems are actively responding to incoming missile and drone threats launched from Iran, amid rising regional tensions.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) confirmed that the sounds heard across parts of the country were caused by air defence systems intercepting the missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, not by impacts on the ground.

The US oil benchmark plunged nearly seven percent on Wednesday after President Donald Trump announced a two-week delay of his threatened mass wave of strikes against Iran.

A barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was trading around $105.12 at 2245GMT, just a few minutes after opening lower on hopes of a last-minute US-Iran ceasefire agreement.

Iran says it has achieved a great victory and forced the United States to accept its 10-point plan, according to a statement from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Israel's military warned early Wednesday that Iran had fired missiles toward it, moments after US President Donald Trump said he had agreed to postpone striking Iranian infrastructure.

The warning came just minutes after Trump said he had agreed to suspend a devastating attack on Iran by two weeks and was ready for a ceasefire in the war if Tehran completely reopens the vital Strait of Hormuz.

"The (Israeli army) identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," the military said on its official Telegram channel.

Blasts were heard from Jerusalem and Jericho on the occupied West Bank, AFP correspondents said.

The Israeli military told people in the areas affected by the incoming missile warnings to seek safety in bomb shelters.

Israel has agreed to participate in the two‑week ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump just 90 minutes before his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face escalated strikes on civilian infrastructure, a senior White House official told CNN.

The official said Israel will also suspend its bombing operations while diplomatic negotiations continue during the temporary truce, marking a coordinated pause in hostilities between the United States, its ally Israel, and Iran.

The announcement comes amid intense efforts by mediators, including Pakistan and other regional partners, to secure a ceasefire and reopen the strategic waterway that is vital for global energy supplies.

Trump says Iran has proposed a ‘workable’ 10-point peace plan that could help end war

The president added in his social media post that Iran has presented “a workable basis on which to negotiate.”

“Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated,” Trump said in the post.

“Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks.

“This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE!

“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. We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated.

“On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the Countries of the Middle East, it is an Honor to have this Longterm problem close to resolution.”

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he had agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before his 8 p.m. deadline to launch a major strike.

The agreement is conditional on Iran reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

“Following discussions with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, who requested that I hold off tonight’s planned strikes on Iran, and provided that the Islamic Republic of Iran ensures the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I will suspend attacks on Iran for two weeks. This will be a mutual ceasefire,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Saudi Arabia's defence ministry said Wednesday its military had intercepted five missiles fired towards the kingdom's east while Iran presses an aerial campaign against its neighbours.

The ministry's spokesperson announced the "interception and destruction of five ballistic missiles launched towards the eastern region", after overnight attacks the previous day hit a petrochemical complex in the eastern city of Jubail.

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Kuwait has urged Emirati citizens in the country to remain at home from the evening of Tuesday, April 7, until Wednesday morning, April 8, 2026, following instructions from local authorities to ensure safety.

The embassy also advised citizens to use the emergency phone (+965 9795 3833) for urgent assistance.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced an extended weekend holiday across all educational levels in Qatar, including government schools, educational institutions, and nurseries.

The break will begin Wednesday, April 8, 2026, covering all students nationwide.

The death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon has risen to 1,530, with 4,812 injured since 2nd March, the Lebanese Ministry of Health announced today.

In a statement, the ministry said that the total number of victims has reached 1,530, including 57 paramedics and healthcare workers, as well as 130 children.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar late Tuesday briefed his Saudi, Egyptian and Turkish counterparts on Islamabad’s efforts to promote dialogue and diplomatic engagement in pursuit of peace and stability in the region.

The Foreign Ministry says Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan discussed the regional situation and that Dar also spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

The White House has defended President Donald Trump’s recent comments on Iran, following criticism over his warning of potential strikes.

Spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement that “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, and the Iranian people welcome the sound of bombs because it means their oppressors are losing.”

She added that the president “will always stand with innocent civilians while annihilating the terrorists responsible for threatening our country and the entire world with a nuclear weapon.” The statement emphasised that further destruction could be avoided if Tehran recognises the seriousness of the moment and reaches a deal with the United States.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, with Trump’s ultimatum to Iran set to expire soon, and regional powers on alert for potential escalation.

The United States and Israel hit an Iranian petrochemicals hub in the country's southwest on Tuesday, without causing any casualties, Iranian media reported the authorities as saying.

Five people had been killed in a previous strike on the site in Mahshahr on Saturday, according to a local Iranian official.

"At 11:40 pm (2040 GMT) on Tuesday, Amir Kabir Petrochemical in Mahshahr was attacked by American and Zionist enemies. No casualties have been reported," said Valiollah Hayati, the deputy governor of the southwestern Khuzestan province, quoted by the state-sponsored Mehrs news agency.

The agency had reported earlier that the company's public relations manager "announced the enemy's assault on one of the units of this complex in the Mahshahr special zone".

Four people, including a child, have been injured in Qatar after debris from intercepted missiles fell on a house, according to Qatar’s Interior Ministry.

Officials said the injuries were moderate, and specialised emergency teams responded immediately, transferring those hurt to hospital for treatment.

Authorities also reported limited material damage at the site.

The United Arab Emirates says its air defence systems are actively responding to incoming missile and drone threats launched from Iran, amid rising regional tensions. 

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) confirmed that the sounds heard across parts of the country were caused by air defence systems intercepting the missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, not by impacts on the ground. 

Authorities emphasised that all systems are operational and focused on protecting national airspace and ensuring the safety of residents. The public has been urged to follow official guidance and rely only on verified information as the situation unfolds.

Kuwait Municipality announced that all shops and commercial establishments across the country will be closed from 12 am to 6 am on Wednesday.

The decision follows a directive from the Ministry of Interior urging the public to remain at home during the same period as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety.

The Municipality called on business owners to comply with the decision and cooperate with the relevant authorities.

Day 39: UAE, Qatar on alert as Trump's deadline nears

Day 38: Iran and US receive draft proposal for war ceasefire

Day 37: Second F-15E crew member rescued in Iran

Day 36: Trump warns Iran: 48 hours or all hell will reign down

Day 35: Trump seeks $1.5t defence budget as war intensifies

Day 34: UN chief warns world on 'edge of a wider war'

Day 33: Trump says US to hit Iran 'extremely hard'

Day 32: Debris hits several homes in Dubai, 4 injured

Day 31: Trump threatens to obliterate Iran's Kharg island