The United States and Iran have reached a temporary two-week ceasefire deal, offering a moment of relief amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump announced the agreement late on Tuesday, just before his deadline expired.
The ceasefire depends on Iran allowing safe shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil supplies. Iran has accepted the pause in fighting, provided attacks on its territory stop.
The deal came after days of intense diplomacy, with Pakistan playing a key role as mediator.
Both sides will now use the two weeks to try and reach a more permanent agreement. Trump described it as a “big day for world peace,” while Iranian officials are calling it a victory for their country.
However, the truce has not brought full calm to the region.
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Israel carried out fresh air strikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday morning, hitting areas around Tyre and Nabatieh. Israeli officials say the ceasefire with Iran does not apply to its conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
They have also issued new evacuation orders for civilians in Tyre, urging people to move north for safety.
Many residents in Lebanon are living in fear as smoke rises from fresh explosions. Meanwhile, in Tehran, people gathered in the streets to celebrate the news of the ceasefire, waving flags and forming human chains to protect key sites.
The agreement includes conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping without restrictions. This is crucial because disruptions there had pushed up global oil prices.
Following the announcement, oil prices dropped sharply, and stock markets around the world rose in response.
European leaders have welcomed the truce. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a moment of relief and is heading to the Gulf to help support the deal. Other countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have also expressed support while stressing the need for long-term stability in the region.
For ordinary people, this pause brings cautious hope after weeks of anxiety. In Iran, clean-up work has already started in areas hit by earlier strikes. Families in Lebanon continue to worry about what happens next, especially with Israeli operations still ongoing.The coming days will be critical.
Talks are expected in Islamabad on Friday, and much will depend on whether trust can be built quickly enough for shipping to resume normally and for the ceasefire to hold.While this is only a short-term agreement, it has eased immediate fears of a wider war. For now, the world is watching closely to see if this fragile pause can lead to something more lasting.
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