US and Iran Reach Two-Week Ceasefire Agreement to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on the night of April 7-8, 2026, just before the expiration of an ultimatum set by President Donald Trump, with Pakistan serving as the key mediator and the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as the central condition of the deal. Trump announced the agreement on his Truth Social platform, citing direct conversations with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces, who asked him to hold back a planned military strike on Iran. Tehran confirmed its agreement to the ceasefire and announced it would allow shipping through the Strait of Hormuz "in coordination with the Iranian armed forces." The strait had been blocked since the opening days of the conflict, which began on February 28, 2026, with U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Trump subsequently wrote on Truth Social that the United States would help ease congestion in the strait and that "large sums of money will be made" as Iran begins rebuilding.

„Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and General Asim Munir of Pakistan, who reached out to me and asked that I hold back the devastating force that was to be sent tonight into Iran, and on the condition that the Islamic Republic of Iran agrees to a TOTAL, IMMEDIATE and SECURE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I am agreeing to suspend the bombing and attack on Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a mutual CEASEFIRE!” — Donald Trump via Truth Social

The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran began on February 28, 2026, with a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation. The Strait of Hormuz was blocked by Iran in the opening days of the war. Before the conflict, the strait carried approximately 20 percent of the world's oil volume and approximately 25 percent of global liquefied natural gas. The ceasefire was brokered through Pakistani mediation, with Beijing also citing a joint five-point initiative with Pakistan for the restoration of peace.

20 (percent) — share of global oil transported through Hormuz before conflict

First ships transit Hormuz hours after deal is announced The first two commercial vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz within hours of the ceasefire announcement, according to maritime tracking service MarineTraffic. The Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Dayton Beach transited at 6:59 AM Universal Time on April 8, shortly after departing the port of Bandar Abbas at 5:28 AM Universal Time. The Greek-owned bulk carrier NJ Earth followed at 8:44 AM Universal Time. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that approximately 15 countries are planning to participate in a defensive mission, led by France, to facilitate the resumption of shipping through the strait. Macron specified that the mission would be launched only "when appropriate conditions are met," meaning when the ceasefire is actually observed. Trump separately stated that the United States would assist in restoring traffic through the waterway.

15 (countries) — planning to join France-led Hormuz maritime mission

Israel backs truce but keeps Lebanon campaign running Israel formally supported the two-week ceasefire, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office made clear the agreement does not cover military operations in Lebanon. A high-ranking White House official confirmed Israel had joined the ceasefire framework. Netanyahu's press office announced the continuation of the military campaign in southern Lebanon, describing it as directed not at Iran but at Hezbollah, which it described as a pro-Iranian terrorist group. Shortly after the ceasefire announcement, the Israeli army called on residents of the Lebanese city of Tyre to evacuate immediately, warning that attacks would follow. Israeli media outlet Ynet argued that Trump had "de facto demanded that Israel pay the bill for the truce," leaving Israel facing unresolved threats including Iran's uranium stockpile and the unfinished campaign to neutralize Hezbollah. The Times of Israel raised concerns about the long-term implications of the ceasefire, questioning what would happen to Iran's nuclear program after Trump's presidency ends.

Despite the ceasefire announcement, explosions were reported at an oil refinery on Lavan Island in southern Iran at 10:42 AM Polish time, followed by a further report of explosions on Sirri Island at 11:05 AM Polish time. The causes of both incidents remained unknown at the time of reporting. According to Israeli media cited by Ynet, Iran still holds 441 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, sufficient to potentially produce approximately 10 nuclear warheads, though access to the relevant underground facilities has been disrupted by U.S. airstrikes. The portal argued that the regime has not been overthrown and that power appears concentrated in the hands of senior officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and hardline clerics.

Poland, China, EU, and Germany welcome the agreement The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it received news of the ceasefire "with satisfaction" and thanked Pakistan and other mediators for their diplomatic efforts. Warsaw called for the agreement to also include "stabilization and guarantees of the territorial integrity of Lebanon" and urged Israel to accept Lebanese authorities' appeal for direct negotiations. The Polish ministry stressed that a lasting diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear and ballistic program, as well as an end to Iranian support for groups it described as terrorist organizations, would be necessary to build durable regional security. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the ceasefire "brings much-needed de-escalation" and called for continued negotiations toward a lasting solution. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed satisfaction and called for negotiations on a permanent end to the war. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning welcomed the truce and cited Beijing's active diplomatic involvement, including 26 telephone conversations conducted by Foreign Minister Wang Yi with counterparts from other countries, as well as a joint five-point peace initiative developed with Pakistan.

„As a responsible power, China will continue to play a constructive role” — Mao Ning via TVN24

Key events: US-Iran conflict and ceasefire: — ; — ; — ; —