Wednesday 08 / April / 2026
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.
Sharif confirmed that, as reported, he has invited US and Iranian delegations to Islamabad on Friday to "further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes."
He praised both parties for their "remarkable wisdom and understanding" and for remaining "constructively engaged in furthering the cause of peace and stability."
US-Iran talks to take place in Pakistan on Friday
A first round of negotiations between the United States and Iran will take place on Friday in Islamabad, Pakistan, according to Iran's Supreme National Security Council, which nevertheless "emphasized that this does not signify the termination of the war."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would halt its attacks on neighboring US-allied countries if attacks against it stop, and insisted on Iranian military coordination of transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Supreme Security Council reportedly added: "Our fingers are on the trigger. As soon as the enemy makes the slightest mistake, it will be answered with full force."
