world 7 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
US and Iran Strike Two-Week Ceasefire Deal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
The United States and Iran have reached a two-week ceasefire agreement just before President Trump's deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, following mediation by Pakistani leaders. The deal, hailed as a victory by both sides, aims to pause hostilities and resume vital oil shipments, though skepticism remains amid ongoing strikes. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/world/us-iran-agree-to-two-week-ceasefire-with-reopening-of-strait-of-hormuz-5416164
President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, secured less than two hours before his ultimatum demanding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz or face severe consequences.
The agreement followed intense mediation by Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who invited delegations to Islamabad for further talks. Trump described it as a ‘double-sided ceasefire’ on Truth Social, claiming military objectives were exceeded and progress toward long-term peace was underway.
In exchange for pausing its blockade of the key waterway—which carries about one-fifth of global oil—Iran agreed to halt counter-attacks and ensure safe passage, per Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. Trump called it a ‘total and complete victory,’ while Iran’s Supreme National Security Council portrayed it as accepting Tehran’s terms.
Israel backed suspending strikes on Iran but clarified the truce excludes Lebanon, contradicting Sharif’s claim of a broader halt to Israel’s campaign there. Post-announcement, Iranian missiles targeted Israel, prompting intercepts and retaliatory strikes, with Gulf states on high alert.
The six-week conflict has killed over 5,000 people across multiple countries, including 1,600 Iranian civilians. Iraq’s Islamic Resistance also pledged a two-week operational pause. Sources view the deal as a trust-building step, suspecting Iran might seek time.
Markets rallied with falling oil prices and rising stocks, as global leaders welcomed the pause amid fears of economic fallout from the strait closure. Analysts suggest Trump seeks an exit framed as success, amid plunging approval ratings and US war fatigue ahead of midterms.
This story is based on reporting from Daily Monitor (Uganda).