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| Iran War Update: US and Tehran Agree to Two-Week Ceasefire, Reopening of Strait of Hormuz |
** "Australia's Support for Middle East Ceasefire and Diplomatic Efforts" **
Netanyahu backs ceasefire but says it does not include Lebanon **
Now, who knows what will happen in two weeks' time, when this new deadline comes to an end?
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Iran War Update: US and
Tehran Agree to Two-Week Ceasefire, Reopening of Strait of Hormuz 8/04/2026
(See translation in Arabic section)
Sydney-Middle East Times Int'l: In a significant development, the United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, setting the stage for critical negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. As part of the agreement, the strategically important Strait of Hormuz will be reopened, potentially easing tensions in the region. Stay updated with the latest developments here:
I have to say, it looks at the moment as though President Trump kicked an almighty can down the road, and it looks as though the upper hand has very much gone to the Iranian regime. It looks as though President Trump has capitulated massively. Let's talk you through what's happened over the course of the past two hours, and I should say, it's just gone, 8 p.m. here in Washington.
This was the point at which Donald Trump set his this was the deadline that he'd set, 8 p.m. in Eastern time. When all hell would break loose, if the Iranians didn't open up the Strait of Hormos and various other moveable demands that he made. So, first of all, the president's post on social media. He said,based on conversations with Prime Minister Sharif and Field Marshal, Maneer of Pakistan, and wherein they requested,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 the definitive agreement concerning long term peace with Iran and peace in the Middle East.
And then, I think, is really important, is he goes on to say, We have received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. Now, here is the kicker. That 10 point proposal from Iran has been outlined in a statement, I'll give you in a minute, by the Iranian National Security Council.
It's basically all of Iran's maximalist demands, including the fact that all American troops should withdraw from their bases across the Middle East. There's no way America's ever going to agree to that. And also, that, and this is totally extraordinary, that the Iranians would gain control of the Strait of Hormuz, so they would get control of a shipping lane, that they didn't have control of before the Americans launched this operation. So that is extraordinary. Now, let me give you the two quotes from the Iranian side.
Now, 1st of all, this is a statement from the Iranian Foreign Minister. If attacks against Iran are halted, he says, our powerful armed forces will cease their defensive operations for a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Straits of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran's armed forces and with due consideration of technical limitations. Not quite sure what that last bit means, but for the sake of the oil market, that statement there is good news.
The straighter hormuse will open for a period of two weeks. That's good news. Then take a look at the small print, if you like, which is from Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
This is the really interesting bit. It says Iran, while rejecting all proposals presented by the enemy, draft that America, drafted a 10 point plan and submitted it to the American side through Pakistan. That incidentally, is the 10 point plan that Trump just referenced.
This plan emphasises key points, such as the controlled passage through the Strait of Hormnus coordinated with Iran's armed forces, granting Iran a unique economic geopolitical position. So, just to reiterate, what appears to have happened is that the American president, the White House, has agreed to all of Iran's maximalist demands as part of a 10 point proposal, and they are happy, the Americans Trump, to go into that proposal with those demands in place. Now, who knows what will happen in two weeks' time, when this new deadline comes to an end?
"Australia's Support for Middle East Ceasefire and Diplomatic Efforts"
ANTHONY ALBANESE MP
Prime Minister of Australia
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SENATOR PENNY WONG
Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister for Foreign Affairs
MIDDLE EAST CEASEFIRE
Australia welcomes the agreement by the United States, Israel, and Iran to a two-week ceasefire to negotiate a resolution to the conflict in the Middle East.
The Australian Government has been calling for de-escalation and an end to the conflict for some time now.
Iran’s de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with its attacks on commercial vessels, civilian infrastructure, and oil and gas facilities, is causing unprecedented energy supply shocks and impacting oil and fuel prices.
We have been clear that the longer the war continues, the more significant the impact on the global economy will be, and the greater the human cost.
Australia has been working with international partners in support of diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz so critical supplies can flow to those who need them, including the most vulnerable.
We thank and support the work of negotiators, including Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia, in advancing de-escalation efforts.
Australia wants to see the ceasefire upheld and a resolution to the conflict.
We continue to call on all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and protect civilian life.
Netanyahu backs ceasefire but says it does not include Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the country supports Donald Trump's decision to suspend attacks on Iran for two-weeks, but that the ceasefire does not include Lebanon.
In a statement from the prime minister’s office, Netanyahu said:
"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.
"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 neighbours and the world.
"The United States has told Israel that it is committed to achieving these goals, shares by the US, Israel and Israel's regional allies, in the upcoming negotiations. The two-weeks ceasefire does not include Lebanon."
It appears to contradict an earlier claim by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who said in a social media post that the pause on hostilities did include Lebanon.
For context: Israel has been engaged in a conflict with the Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah, who are based in Lebanon.
At the end of March, Israel announced it was expanding its invasion in a bid to create what it called a "buffer zone" in southern Lebanon.
On Tuesday, Lebanon's health ministry said that 1,530 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on the country since 2 March, while more than a million people have been displaced. |
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