US-Iran ceasefire holds shakily as Israel rejects Lebanon truce
Confidence: HIGH (88/100) | April 08, 2026 | Tehran, Tehran, Iran
aljazeera.com
In one sentence: The US and Iran struck a fragile two-week ceasefire on April 7–8, 2026, halting direct strikes on Iran and partially reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel continued attacks in Lebanon.
Why it matters: The ceasefire pauses the most destructive US military operation in the Middle East in decades, but its scope is immediately contested: Israel insists Lebanon is excluded, Hezbollah says otherwise, and Iran's 10-point peace proposal includes demands — US troop withdrawal and sanctions relief — that Washington has not accepted. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of global oil passes, remains only partially open under Iranian military coordination, keeping energy markets on edge. Negotiations resume Friday in Islamabad, and VP Vance has already called the truce 'fragile'.
What Happened Today
- The US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 7–8, less than two hours before Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face 'complete demolition' of key infrastructure, with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Gen. Asim Munir serving as mediators, according to NPR and Al Jazeera.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that 'safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran's Armed Forces' for two weeks, while Iran's Supreme National Security Council formally accepted the truce; Iranian crowds gathered at Tehran's Revolution Square to celebrate, per Reuters and AFP.
- Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel supports Trump's decision to suspend strikes on Iran for two weeks but stated the ceasefire 'does not include Lebanon,' directly contradicting Pakistan's prime minister, who said Lebanon was part of the deal, according to NPR.
- Israel renewed strikes on southern Lebanon on April 8, state media reported; Hezbollah responded that if Israel did not adhere to a full ceasefire, 'no party will commit to it, and there will be a response from the region, including Iran,' per NPR.
- The broader 40-day war, launched February 28, killed at least 2,076 people in Iran per Iran's Health Ministry, 26 in Israel, 13 US soldiers, and 28 in Gulf states, with over 26,500 wounded in Iran, according to Al Jazeera's live tracker.
Contested Claims
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as reported by NPR: Pakistan's prime minister said the ceasefire includes Lebanon. Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as reported by NPR and Al Jazeera: The ceasefire does not include Lebanon; Israel will continue operations against Hezbollah there.
- Iranian government, as reported by Al Jazeera: Iran denied any negotiations with the US were taking place and called Trump 'deceitful.' US President Donald Trump via social media, as reported by NPR and Britannica: Trump said the US was negotiating with Iran to end the war and announced the ceasefire as a mutual agreement brokered via Pakistan.
- PBS NewsHour / Associated Press: Iran's 10-point peace plan stipulates the Strait of Hormuz will operate under 'regulated passage under the coordination of Iran's Armed Forces,' giving Iran unique geopolitical standing and requiring full sanctions relief. Senior Israeli official speaking anonymously, as reported by NPR: A senior Israeli official told reporters the US has assured Israel it will insist on removal of enriched uranium from Iran and elimination of Iran's ballistic missile threat in future negotiations.
Unverified / Single Source
- (Unverified — single source | not independently corroborated) An anonymous user on prediction platform Polymarket reportedly made $400,000 by accurately betting on the start of US military action and the timing of the ceasefire, raising concerns about insider trading tied to geopolitical decisions. [Al Jazeera]
- (Unverified — single source | not independently corroborated at the time of reporting) Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei (son of the killed Ali Khamenei) approved the ceasefire after a last-minute nudge by China. [Britannica]
Key Figures
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed dead in Iran from US-Israeli strikes since Feb. 28 | At least 2,076 killed; over 26,500 wounded | Iran Health Ministry, via Al Jazeera live tracker |
| US military fatalities | 13 confirmed killed in Iranian attacks across the region | US military, via Al Jazeera |
| Days of active war before ceasefire | 40 days (Feb. 28 – Apr. 7–8, 2026) | Al Jazeera / NPR |
| Share of global oil supply transiting Strait of Hormuz | ~20% | NPR |
| Dead in Lebanon from Hezbollah-Israel fighting (parallel conflict) | More than 1,400 by early April | Wikipedia / multiple sources |
| Gulf state civilian/military deaths from Iranian strikes | 28 killed | Al Jazeera live tracker |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the terms of the US-Iran ceasefire announced April 7–8 2026? The US and Israel agreed to suspend strikes on Iran for two weeks; in return, Iran committed to allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz under coordination with its armed forces. Formal negotiations are set to begin Friday in Islamabad, Pakistan, which brokered the deal. The ceasefire's scope — particularly whether it covers Lebanon — remains disputed.
Is the Strait of Hormuz reopened and what does that mean for oil prices? Iran says safe passage is possible for two weeks 'via coordination with Iran's Armed Forces,' but this is conditional and not a full reopening. The strait carries roughly 20% of global oil supply; its partial blockade since late February has caused oil and gas prices to surge and fuel shortages in parts of Asia, per Al Jazeera and NPR.
Why did the US and Israel attack Iran in February 2026? The US and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026, citing Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missile capabilities, and regional proxy network. The strikes killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior IRGC officials. They followed Iran's January 2026 crackdown on mass protests and a US military buildup in the region, according to Britannica and the UK House of Commons Library.
Background
The US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026 — dubbed Operation Epic Fury — killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and targeting nuclear and military sites. Iran retaliated with waves of missiles and drones against Israel and US bases across nine countries, and closed the Strait of Hormuz. The 40-day war, the most intense direct US-Iran military confrontation since the 1979 revolution, produced thousands of casualties and severe disruption to global energy markets before the April 7–8 ceasefire.
Sources
- npr.org — npr.org (unknown date)
- aljazeera.com — aljazeera.com (unknown date)
- pbs.org — pbs.org (unknown date)
- cfr.org — cfr.org (unknown date)
- britannica.com — britannica.com (unknown date)
- commonslibrary.parliament.uk — commonslibrary.parliament.uk (unknown date)