Washington/Tel Aviv/Tehran, 08 April (H.S.): The United States has finally agreed to a two-week ceasefire. Israel has also given its assent. Both nations have respected the mediator countries' positions and are now preparing for direct face-to-face negotiations with Iran. Since the war with Iran erupted on February 28, even America's and Israel's supporting countries have been scorched by its flames. US President Donald Trump's announcement of a two-week ceasefire on his Truth Social platform has brought immense global relief.
The United States and Israel have halted attacks on Iran.
According to reports from CNN, CBS News, Al Jazeera, and Dunya News, US officials state that the administration is now preparing for direct (face-to-face) talks with Iran. The US delegation will likely be led by Vice President JD Vance. The objective is to finalise a framework for a long-term agreement. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged that discussions for face-to-face talks are underway. She clarified that the final announcement will come from the President or the White House.
Some officials revealed that this meeting will likely occur in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. According to these officials, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Vice President JD Vance are expected to participate in this meeting. However, Vance is currently on a visit to Hungary. Meanwhile, Israeli officials assisting the US in its military campaign against Iran are surprised by Trump's sudden change in stance.
Nevertheless, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has endorsed Trump's agreement. This makes it clear that Israel will adhere to the ceasefire by following US President Donald Trump.
In the meantime, a senior US official stated that the US military has paused strikes inside Iran. Iran has declared that during the ceasefire, its forces will control shipping passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Supreme National Security Council issued a statement asserting that its 10-point plan has been accepted. The plan emphasises certain fundamental issues, such as controlled passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz under coordination with Iran's armed forces. The statement claims this will grant Iran a specific economic and geopolitical status.
Iranian Foreign Minister Sayyed Abbas Araghchi stated that during these two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible only through coordination with Iran's armed forces and consideration of technical limitations. He praised the role of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and military chief Asim Munir in this ceasefire.
Earlier today around 3 a.m., several Gulf countries reported they had been attempting to intercept missile and drone attacks for the past hour. Notably, this short-term ceasefire came into effect just hours before Trump's deadline to commence attacks expired. Trump had warned that if Iran did not reopen Hormuz, he would annihilate it overnight and end an entire civilization.
Trump's threat had created global panic. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres posted on X: No military objective can justify the complete destruction of any society's infrastructure or the deliberate infliction of suffering on ordinary civilians. Pope Leo stated that these threats are truly unacceptable. Meanwhile, Israeli officials have confirmed that attacks on Iran have been halted.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
