Middle East War Day 39: US, Israel, Iran Agree to Two-Week Ceasefire; Latest Developments at a Glance
On the 39th day of the Middle East war, the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire just before Trump's deadline. Israel also agreed to the ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan. Following the agreement, Japanese and South Korean stock markets rose, and international crude oil prices fell. However, Israeli military attacks were reported in Lebanon, and explosions were heard in Baghdad and Doha, Qatar.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 13:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 14:00 (30 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 18:18 (172h 17m after Collected)
The United States and Iran today agreed to a two-week ceasefire, less than an hour before the deadline set by Trump to destroy each other, with Tehran agreeing to temporarily reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
The White House stated that Israel also agreed to the ceasefire. This last-minute agreement was facilitated after Trump said he had spoken with Pakistani leaders, who requested a truce.
Earlier, multiple media outlets reported that the United States and Israel attacked Iran's important oil export hub, Kharg Island. Iran's Mehr News Agency stated: "US-Zionist enemies launched multiple attacks on Kharg Island, and several explosions were heard there."
Axios reporter Barak Ravid quoted US officials on social media platform X as saying that the US launched "military strikes against military targets" on Kharg Island off the western coast of Iran.
In addition, the Israeli army expressed regret for "collateral damage" to a synagogue in Tehran due to a night air raid, stating that the target of the air raid was a senior Iranian commander.
Iranian media earlier reported that the Rafi-Nia Synagogue in downtown Tehran had been "completely destroyed."
Meanwhile, Israel's powerful armed group Kataeb Hezbollah announced that it would release American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Baghdad a week ago.
Iran called the ceasefire a victory and said it had agreed to hold talks with Washington, with both sides meeting in Pakistan starting on the 10th to seek a way to end the conflict.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, acting as mediator, said that the capital Islamabad would welcome delegations from both countries for negotiations, aiming to reach a "final agreement."
Iran stated that its 10-point plan to end the war with the United States would require Washington to accept Iran's uranium enrichment program and lift all sanctions against Iran.
Tehran pointed out that the plan would also require Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz, the withdrawal of US troops from the Middle East, an end to attacks on Iran and its allies, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and a United Nations Security Council resolution to make any agreement binding.
Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, during which both sides would negotiate under Pakistan's mediation. Inspired by this news, Japanese and South Korean stock markets rose today.
At the same time, international oil prices fell, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent Crude falling below US$100 per barrel.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the ceasefire agreement reached by the United States, Iran, and their allies would cover "all places," including Lebanon.
However, the Lebanese Ministry of Health stated that an Israeli military attack on the Lebanese city of Sidon caused 8 deaths. The airstrike hit the coastal area of the seaside city, and an AFP photographer at the scene saw flames erupting from a cafe.
AFP reporters reported that five explosions were heard tonight in downtown Baghdad, where the US embassy is located. Explosions were also heard in the Qatari capital Doha, and the United Arab Emirates stated that its air defense system was operating to intercept missiles and drone attacks from Iran.
Before announcing the ceasefire, Trump warned that if Iran did not open the Strait of Hormuz by 8 PM Washington time, "the entire civilization will perish." In response, Roman Catholic Pope Leo XIV stated that threats to cause widespread destruction to Iranian civilian targets were "unacceptable" and could violate international law, but he did not explicitly name Trump.
According to a UN investigation, three UN peacekeepers who died in two incidents in Lebanon in March, one may have died from Israeli tank fire, and the other from an improvised explosive device set by Hezbollah. (Compiler: Chang Hsiao-wen) 20260408
The White House stated that Israel also agreed to the ceasefire. This last-minute agreement was facilitated after Trump said he had spoken with Pakistani leaders, who requested a truce.
Earlier, multiple media outlets reported that the United States and Israel attacked Iran's important oil export hub, Kharg Island. Iran's Mehr News Agency stated: "US-Zionist enemies launched multiple attacks on Kharg Island, and several explosions were heard there."
Axios reporter Barak Ravid quoted US officials on social media platform X as saying that the US launched "military strikes against military targets" on Kharg Island off the western coast of Iran.
In addition, the Israeli army expressed regret for "collateral damage" to a synagogue in Tehran due to a night air raid, stating that the target of the air raid was a senior Iranian commander.
Iranian media earlier reported that the Rafi-Nia Synagogue in downtown Tehran had been "completely destroyed."
Meanwhile, Israel's powerful armed group Kataeb Hezbollah announced that it would release American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Baghdad a week ago.
Iran called the ceasefire a victory and said it had agreed to hold talks with Washington, with both sides meeting in Pakistan starting on the 10th to seek a way to end the conflict.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, acting as mediator, said that the capital Islamabad would welcome delegations from both countries for negotiations, aiming to reach a "final agreement."
Iran stated that its 10-point plan to end the war with the United States would require Washington to accept Iran's uranium enrichment program and lift all sanctions against Iran.
Tehran pointed out that the plan would also require Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz, the withdrawal of US troops from the Middle East, an end to attacks on Iran and its allies, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and a United Nations Security Council resolution to make any agreement binding.
Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, during which both sides would negotiate under Pakistan's mediation. Inspired by this news, Japanese and South Korean stock markets rose today.
At the same time, international oil prices fell, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent Crude falling below US$100 per barrel.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the ceasefire agreement reached by the United States, Iran, and their allies would cover "all places," including Lebanon.
However, the Lebanese Ministry of Health stated that an Israeli military attack on the Lebanese city of Sidon caused 8 deaths. The airstrike hit the coastal area of the seaside city, and an AFP photographer at the scene saw flames erupting from a cafe.
AFP reporters reported that five explosions were heard tonight in downtown Baghdad, where the US embassy is located. Explosions were also heard in the Qatari capital Doha, and the United Arab Emirates stated that its air defense system was operating to intercept missiles and drone attacks from Iran.
Before announcing the ceasefire, Trump warned that if Iran did not open the Strait of Hormuz by 8 PM Washington time, "the entire civilization will perish." In response, Roman Catholic Pope Leo XIV stated that threats to cause widespread destruction to Iranian civilian targets were "unacceptable" and could violate international law, but he did not explicitly name Trump.
According to a UN investigation, three UN peacekeepers who died in two incidents in Lebanon in March, one may have died from Israeli tank fire, and the other from an improvised explosive device set by Hezbollah. (Compiler: Chang Hsiao-wen) 20260408
FAQ
How long is the ceasefire agreed upon by the US, Israel, and Iran?
They agreed to a two-week ceasefire.
Where will the ceasefire negotiations take place?
Negotiations will take place in Pakistan.