ISLAMABAD, April 8: Leaders from around the world, including Australia, Germany, the UK, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan, welcomed a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran aimed at halting hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz for shipping.
The temporary truce, mediated by Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia, marks the first formal pause since the escalation of conflict in late February, when the US and Israel attacked Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top commanders, prompting Iranian retaliation across the Gulf region.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the ceasefire a crucial step toward resolving the conflict, emphasizing the human and economic costs of prolonged war.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted the importance of sustaining the ceasefire and reopening strategic shipping routes, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed the need to negotiate a lasting peace.
New Zealand, Malaysia, Norway, and Sweden also expressed support, commending mediators and urging all parties to respect the ceasefire terms. EU leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas, called it a "step back from the brink" that creates space for diplomacy, stabilizes global shipping, and helps prevent further escalation in the region.
US President Donald Trump announced the agreement following discussions with Pakistan's leadership. The ceasefire is seen as a critical opportunity to de-escalate tensions in the Gulf, restore international trade routes, and lay groundwork for long-term negotiations. (PTI)