Iran war: US, Israel, Tehran agree two-week ceasefire

## Summary
Here are some of the major points in the two-week ceasefire in the war between the United States, Israel and Iran: The US early Wednesday announced a two-week ceasefire in the war that started on February 28 As part of the agreement, Iran is to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz , a crucial passage for global oil deliveries The ceasefire was announced hours after Trump had said that a 'whole civilization will die tonight' if Iran didn't agree to his demands Trump declares the ceasefire a 'total and complete victory' for Washington Trump has previously said that only Iran's 'unconditional surrender' and total regime change would be an acceptable end to the war Tehran calls the truce a 'humiliating retreat' on the part of the US The agreement was reached through Pakistani mediation, with talks set to begin in Islamabad on Friday China, Iran's largest trading partner and the US' main economic rival, also reportedly helped broker a halt to the fighting Israel says it supports the decision to halt the bombing of Iran But Israel says the ceasefire agreement doesn't cover its offensive in Lebanon, contradicting a previous Pakistani statement https://p.dw.com/p/5BpgW Skip next section Indonesia calls for respecting sovereignty following US ceasefire with Iran 04/08/2026 April 8, 2026 Indonesia calls for respecting sovereignty following US ceasefire with Iran Indonesia welcomes ‌the ceasefire ⁠in ⁠the ​Iran war ​and ​calls ‌on all parties ‌to respect sovereignty, ‌territorial ​integrity and diplomacy, Yvonne Mewengkang, ​a spokesperson for Indonesia's Foreign Ministry, ​said ​on Wednesday. But, his latest post on Wednesday said, "Just like we are experiencing in the US, this could be the Golden Age of the Middle East!!!" Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that safe passage through the Strait will be possible "via coordination with Iran's Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations." https://p.dw.com/p/5BpcI Skip next section UAE, Bahrain report missile alerts despite US-Iran ceasefire Published 04/08/2026 Published April 8, 2026 last updated 04/08/2026 last updated April 8, 2026 UAE, Bahrain report missile alerts despite US-Iran ceasefire Missile alerts sounded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) early on Wednesday about an hour after the United States, Israel and Iran announced an agreement on a two-week ceasefire. Israel strikes Hezbollah sites in Beirut To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video https://p.dw.com/p/5BpQF Skip next section Trump thinks China got Iran to negotiate – AFP 04/08/2026 April 8, 2026 Trump thinks China got Iran to negotiate – AFP US President Donald Trump believes China persuaded Iran to negotiate a two-week ceasefire in the ongoing war in the Middle East, according to a short telephone interview he gave to the AFP news agency. No question about it." Asked what would happen to the Iranian regime's stocks of enriched uranium, Trump said: "That will be perfectly taken care of or I wouldn't have settled." He didn't elaborate on what he meant by "taken care of." https://p.dw.com/p/5BpQ7 Skip next section White House calls ceasefire a 'victory'; Iran calls it 'humiliating' for Trump 04/08/2026 April 8, 2026 White House calls ceasefire a 'victory'; Iran calls it 'humiliating' for Trump White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday described the two-week ceasefire in the Iran war as a "victory" for the United States . "This is a victory for the United States that President Trump and our incredible military made happen," she wrote on social media. "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." Earlier, Iranian state media claimed that Trump had "accepted Iran 's conditions to end the war" and beaten a "humiliating retreat from anti-Iran rhetoric." https://p.dw.com/p/5BpPz Skip next section Iraq: Armed group releases US journalist 04/08/2026 April 8, 2026 Iraq: Armed group releases US journalist Kittleson was kidnapped by Iran-aligned ​Iraqi ​armed ​group Kataib ‌Hezbollah ​near ⁠Baghdad a week ago [FILE: March 2026] Image: AP Photo/picture alliance A US journalist kidnapped by an Iran-backed militia in Baghdad, Iraq , was released late on Tuesday after a week in captivity, both the United States and the militia group have confirmed. "In recognition of the national stances of the outgoing prime minister, we have decided to release the American defendant Shelly Kittleson, on the condition that she leave the country immediately," said Abu Mujahid al-Assaf, a security official in Kataeb Hezbollah group, referring to outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

## Article Content
https://p.dw.com/p/5BpDr
Trump pulled back from threats of massive attacks on Iran
Image: Majid Asgaripour/WANA/REUTERS
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Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
Trump says he has agreed 'to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks'
Iran's Supreme National Security Council has reportedly accepted the two-week ceasefire
Agreement dependent on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz
The ceasefire deal comes after Trump had escalated his rhetoric towards Iran, warning Tuesday that a 'whole civilization' would 'die' unless Tehran reopened the crucial waterway
US-Iran talks to begin in Pakistan on Friday
Welcome to DW's coverage of the
conflict in Iran and the Middle East
on Wednesday, April 8:
Skip next section Oil prices drop, stocks jump after ceasefire
04/08/2026
April 8, 2026
Oil prices drop, stocks jump after ceasefire
The price of crude oil fell sharply while stocks surged on Wednesday after the US and Iran announced a ceasefire and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The price of a barrel of Brent crude for June delivery plunged about 16% to around $92, the lowest level since mid-March, and the West Texas Intermediate lost almost 20%.
Meanwhile, the equity markets relaxed
after a series of tumultuous weeks
.
S&P 500 futures rose 2.5%, while European futures leapt more than 5%. U.S. Treasuries rallied while futures for ​German bunds and French OATs surged.
In Asia, ​Japan's Nikkei jumped ‌about 5% while South Korea's KOSPI vaulted 6%, triggering a brief halt in trading.
Shanghai, Mumbai, Bangkok, Manila, Jakarta, Singapore and Wellington were also rose sharply following the ceasefire announcement.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Bphv
Skip next section What you need to know about the ceasefire
04/08/2026
April 8, 2026
What you need to know about the ceasefire
Thank you for joining us. Here are some of the major points in the two-week ceasefire in the war between the United States, Israel and Iran:
The US early Wednesday announced a two-week ceasefire in the war that started on February 28
As part of the agreement, Iran is to temporarily reopen the
Strait of Hormuz
, a crucial passage for global oil deliveries
The ceasefire was announced hours after Trump had said that a 'whole civilization will die tonight' if Iran didn't agree to his demands
Trump declares the ceasefire a 'total and complete victory' for Washington
Trump has previously said that only Iran's 'unconditional surrender' and total regime change would be an acceptable end to the war
Tehran calls the truce a 'humiliating retreat' on the part of the US
The agreement was reached through Pakistani mediation, with talks set to begin in Islamabad on Friday
China, Iran's largest trading partner and the US' main economic rival, also reportedly helped broker a halt to the fighting
Israel says it supports the decision to halt the bombing of Iran
But Israel says the ceasefire agreement doesn't cover its offensive in Lebanon, contradicting a previous Pakistani statement
https://p.dw.com/p/5BpgW
Skip next section Indonesia calls for respecting sovereignty following US ceasefire with Iran
04/08/2026
April 8, 2026
Indonesia calls for respecting sovereignty following US ceasefire with Iran
Indonesia
welcomes ‌the ceasefire ⁠in ⁠the ​Iran war ​and ​calls ‌on all parties ‌to respect
sovereignty, ‌territorial ​integrity and diplomacy, Yvonne Mewengkang, ​a spokesperson for Indonesia's Foreign Ministry, ​said ​on Wednesday.
Oil and gas prices have surged as shipping through the
Strait of Hormuz
has been disrupted, a serious problem for Southeast Asian net importers, including Indonesia.
Indonesia has also lost
three soldiers to the conflict
who were serving in Lebanon as UN peacekeepers.
https://p.dw.com/p/5BpfR
Skip next section Germany's Merz welcomes ceasefire, calls for lasting end to war
04/08/2026
April 8, 2026
Germany's Merz welcomes ceasefire, calls for lasting end to war
Merz said negotiations could help 'avert a severe global energy crisis' [FILE: March 30, 2026]
Image: Lisi Niesner/REUTERS
German Chancellor
Friedrich Merz
has welcomed the ceasefire between Iran and the US and called for a lasting end to the war.
Merz thanked Pakistan for mediating the ceasefire agreement and said the German government supports the diplomatic efforts.
"The aim ‌now must be ‌to ​negotiate a lasting end to ​the war in the ⁠coming ​days," ​he said ​in a ‌statement. "This can only ​be achieved ⁠through diplomatic ⁠channels."
He also said that
Germany
would take appropriate measures to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and is in close contact with the US and other partners.
https://p.dw.com/p/5BpgA
Skip next section Australian PM welcomes ceasefire but expresses concern over Trump's rhetoric
04/08/2026
April 8, 2026
Australian PM welcomes ceasefire but expresses concern over Trump's rhetoric
Australian
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed the ceasefire between Iran and the US on Wednesday but criticized US

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Following those remarks, Trump criticised ⁠Australia for what he said was a lack of support. "Australia didn't help us," he told a news conference. https://p.dw.com/p/5BpfD Skip next section Trump says US will help build up traffic in the Hormuz Strait 04/08/2026 April 8, 2026 Trump says US will help build up traffic in the Hormuz Strait Karl Sexton Editor Iran's effective closure of the Strait has severely disrupted energy markets [FILE: December 2020] Image: Modis Team/Nasa Gsfc/ZUMA/IMAGO US President Donald Trump has said that the US will help with the buildup of shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz .
- No question about it." Asked what would happen to the Iranian regime's stocks of enriched uranium, Trump said: "That will be perfectly taken care of or I wouldn't have settled." He didn't elaborate on what he meant by "taken care of." https://p.dw.com/p/5BpQ7 Skip next section White House calls ceasefire a 'victory'; Iran calls it 'humiliating' for Trump 04/08/2026 April 8, 2026 White House calls ceasefire a 'victory'; Iran calls it 'humiliating' for Trump White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday described the two-week ceasefire in the Iran war as a "victory" for the United States . "This is a victory for the United States that President Trump and our incredible military made happen," she wrote on social media. "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." Earlier, Iranian state media claimed that Trump had "accepted Iran 's conditions to end the war" and beaten a "humiliating retreat from anti-Iran rhetoric." https://p.dw.com/p/5BpPz Skip next section Iraq: Armed group releases US journalist 04/08/2026 April 8, 2026 Iraq: Armed group releases US journalist Kittleson was kidnapped by Iran-aligned ​Iraqi ​armed ​group Kataib ‌Hezbollah ​near ⁠Baghdad a week ago [FILE: March 2026] Image: AP Photo/picture alliance A US journalist kidnapped by an Iran-backed militia in Baghdad, Iraq , was released late on Tuesday after a week in captivity, both the United States and the militia group have confirmed. "In recognition of the national stances of the outgoing prime minister, we have decided to release the American defendant Shelly Kittleson, on the condition that she leave the country immediately," said Abu Mujahid al-Assaf, a security official in Kataeb Hezbollah group, referring to outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
- US officials said they had warned her of threats against her several times after she returned to Iraq shortly before her abduction, but that she had not wanted to leave. https://p.dw.com/p/5BpPk Skip next section Pakistan confirms 'immediate ceasefire … effective immediately' 04/08/2026 April 8, 2026 Pakistan confirms 'immediate ceasefire … effective immediately' The prime minister of Pakistan , Shehbaz Sharif, said early on Wednesday that the United States and Iran , and both countries' allies, had agreed to an "immediate ceasefire … effective immediately." He said the ceasefire, negotiated with Pakistani mediation, also included Lebanon and Israel — despite the Lebanese Health Ministry saying on Wednesday that eight people had been killed in an Israeli strike in the southern city of Sidon.

### Areas for Consideration
- Oil and gas prices have surged as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted, a serious problem for Southeast Asian net importers, including Indonesia.
- Merz thanked Pakistan for mediating the ceasefire agreement and said the German government supports the diplomatic efforts. "The aim ‌now must be ‌to ​negotiate a lasting end to ​the war in the ⁠coming ​days," ​he said ​in a ‌statement. "This can only ​be achieved ⁠through diplomatic ⁠channels." He also said that Germany would take appropriate measures to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and is in close contact with the US and other partners. https://p.dw.com/p/5BpgA Skip next section Australian PM welcomes ceasefire but expresses concern over Trump's rhetoric 04/08/2026 April 8, 2026 Australian PM welcomes ceasefire but expresses concern over Trump's rhetoric Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed the ceasefire between Iran and the US on Wednesday but criticized US President ⁠Donald Trump's rhetoric.
- During an interview with Sky News, Albanese expressed his concern over Trump's language. "I don't think it's appropriate to use language such ​as that from the President of the United States, and I think it will cause some concern," he said.

### Implications
- Here are some of the major points in the two-week ceasefire in the war between the United States, Israel and Iran: The US early Wednesday announced a two-week ceasefire in the war that started on February 28 As part of the agreement, Iran is to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz , a crucial passage for global oil deliveries The ceasefire was announced hours after Trump had said that a 'whole civilization will die tonight' if Iran didn't agree to his demands Trump declares the ceasefire a 'total and complete victory' for Washington Trump has previously said that only Iran's 'unconditional surrender' and total regime change would be an acceptable end to the war Tehran calls the truce a 'humiliating retreat' on the part of the US The agreement was reached through Pakistani mediation, with talks set to begin in Islamabad on Friday China, Iran's largest trading partner and the US' main economic rival, also reportedly helped broker a halt to the fighting Israel says it supports the decision to halt the bombing of Iran But Israel says the ceasefire agreement doesn't cover its offensive in Lebanon, contradicting a previous Pakistani statement https://p.dw.com/p/5BpgW Skip next section Indonesia calls for respecting sovereignty following US ceasefire with Iran 04/08/2026 April 8, 2026 Indonesia calls for respecting sovereignty following US ceasefire with Iran Indonesia welcomes ‌the ceasefire ⁠in ⁠the ​Iran war ​and ​calls ‌on all parties ‌to respect sovereignty, ‌territorial ​integrity and diplomacy, Yvonne Mewengkang, ​a spokesperson for Indonesia's Foreign Ministry, ​said ​on Wednesday.
- Indonesia has also lost three soldiers to the conflict who were serving in Lebanon as UN peacekeepers. https://p.dw.com/p/5BpfR Skip next section Germany's Merz welcomes ceasefire, calls for lasting end to war 04/08/2026 April 8, 2026 Germany's Merz welcomes ceasefire, calls for lasting end to war Merz said negotiations could help 'avert a severe global energy crisis' [FILE: March 30, 2026] Image: Lisi Niesner/REUTERS German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has welcomed the ceasefire between Iran and the US and called for a lasting end to the war.
- A day before the ceasefire agreement, Trump had said that "a whole civilization will die tonight" unless his demands were met.
- During an interview with Sky News, Albanese expressed his concern over Trump's language. "I don't think it's appropriate to use language such ​as that from the President of the United States, and I think it will cause some concern," he said.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers iran, ceasefire, trump topics. Notable strengths include discussion of iran. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 2358.