The ceasefire between the United States and Iran, announced on 8 April 2026 and mediated by Pakistan, technically holds six weeks on. But “holding” is the limit of what can fairly be said about it.
The terms were narrow: Iran would allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz; the United States would pause its bombing campaign on Iranian targets. Within hours, the first vessels began moving through the strait again. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council described the agreement as the United States accepting Tehran’s 10-point plan; the United States described it as Iran capitulating to the threat of further strikes. Both characterisations cannot be true. Neither government has clarified.
On 10 April, President Trump publicly accused Iran of doing “a very poor job” on its end of the agreement, warning against any attempt by Iran’s military to impose tolls on tankers transiting Hormuz. The White House has continued to oppose any Iranian effort to restrict shipping. Iran, in turn, has accused the United States of maintaining a de facto naval blockade.
Israel was not party to the ceasefire and has not signed on to its terms. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has authorised direct negotiations with Lebanon over the potential disarmament of Hezbollah, but has been clear that Israeli operations against Hezbollah will continue regardless. Negotiations are reportedly scheduled for Washington in the coming weeks.
What the ceasefire does not address: Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, the disarmament of Iran-backed militias including Hamas and Hezbollah, the future of Iran’s nuclear programme, and the broader regional security architecture. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the ceasefire decision was taken unanimously by Iran’s leadership and approved by Supreme Leader Khamenei — but the same leadership has made no commitments on the harder questions.
This is what a pause looks like, not a settlement.
— Sources: UK House of Commons Library, Al Jazeera, NewsOnAir, Reuters