US President Donald Trump pulled back on his threats to launch devastating strikes on Iran late Tuesday, swerving to deescalate the war less than two hours before the deadline he set for Tehran to capitulate to a deal.
Trump said he was holding off on his threatened attacks on Iranian bridges and power plants, as the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire that includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said it has accepted the ceasefire and that it would negotiate with the United States in Islamabad beginning Friday.
Neither Iran nor the United States said when the ceasefire would begin, and attacks took place in Israel, Iran and across the Gulf region early Wednesday.
Israel has also agreed to the ceasefire, according to a White House official who was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Chinese officials encouraged Iran to find path to ceasefire with US: sources
April 8, 2026 8:20 am
Beijing: China, which is Tehran’s biggest trade partner, spoke with the Iranians to get them on board to look for a path toward a ceasefire in war with the US, sources said. Chinese officials were in touch with Iranian officials as the negotiations were evolving, two officials who were not authorised to comment publicly spoke on condition of anonymity. Beijing primarily had been working with intermediaries, including Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt, as it tried to use its influence, said one of the officials. (AP)
Pakistan invites US, Iran for talks in Islamabad
April 8, 2026 8:19 am
Islamabad: Pakistan on Wednesday invited the US and Iran for talks in Islamabad on Friday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a social media post announced that the US and Iran, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. “With the greatest humility, I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere, effective immediately,” he said. Sharif said Pakistan has invited delegations from both countries to Islamabad on April 10 for face-to-face talks aimed at reaching a conclusive agreement “to settle all disputes”. (PTI)
Oil prices sink, US stock futures jump as US, Iran agree to 2-week ceasefire
April 8, 2026 8:19 am
New York: Oil prices plunged below USD 100 a barrel and Asia markets and US stock futures jumped after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire that includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. (AP)
Iran includes ‘acceptance of enrichment’ in Farsi version of its ceasefire plan
April 8, 2026 8:14 am
Tehran: Iran in the Farsi-language version of its 10-point ceasefire plan included the phrase “acceptance of enrichment” for its nuclear programme, something that was missing in English versions shared by Iranian diplomats to journalists. It wasn’t immediately clear why that term was missing. However, US President Donald Trump had said ending Iran’s nuclear programme entirely was a key point of the war. Trump, after Iran issued its 10-point plan, had described it as fraudulent, without elaborating. (AP)
Protesters in Iran express outrage at US, Israel after ceasefire agreement reached
April 8, 2026 7:57 am
Tehran: Pro-government demonstrators in the streets of Iran’s capital Wednesday morning after the ceasefire had been announced screamed: “Death to America, death to Israel, death to compromisers!” (AP)
Iraq’s Islamic Resistance says it is suspending operations for 2 weeks
April 8, 2026 7:50 am
Baghdad: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, said it would suspend its operations in Iraq and across the region for two weeks, according to a statement issued on Wednesday, in a move that follows announcements of a two-week suspension of hostilities between the United States and Iran. (Reuters)
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