Two-week truce opens door to Islamabad talks as nations call for restraint, secure shipping routes, and a comprehensive long-term agreement

The international community has broadly welcomed the newly announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran, describing it as a critical opening for diplomacy while urging all sides to commit to a lasting peace in the Middle East.

The two-week truce, announced on Tuesday by US President Donald Trump, is expected to halt hostilities temporarily and pave the way for formal peace negotiations scheduled to begin in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday. As part of the agreement, Iran is also set to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime corridor responsible for transporting roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply.

Governments and global institutions have responded with cautious optimism, stressing the need for restraint, dialogue, and full adherence to the ceasefire terms.

Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the development but warned that sustained commitment from both Washington and Tehran is essential to prevent further escalation. Baghdad, which has been caught in the crossfire of rising tensions involving Iran-backed groups and US forces, emphasized diplomacy as the only viable path forward.

Egypt described the ceasefire as a “very important opportunity” to prioritize negotiations and de-escalation. Cairo also underscored the importance of safeguarding international navigation and said ongoing diplomatic efforts—alongside Pakistan and Türkiye—would focus on ensuring regional stability while addressing Gulf nations’ security concerns.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed support for the US decision to suspend strikes on Iran, framing it as part of broader efforts to neutralize perceived threats. However, he clarified that the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, where Israeli forces remain engaged in active conflict with Hezbollah.

Oman praised the agreement and acknowledged Pakistan’s mediation efforts, calling for intensified diplomatic engagement to resolve the crisis at its roots and achieve a permanent end to hostilities.

At the global level, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged all parties to fully respect the ceasefire, stressing that an immediate halt to violence is crucial to protect civilian lives and ease humanitarian suffering. He also commended the role of mediators in facilitating the truce.

Across Asia-Pacific, governments echoed similar sentiments. Japan described the ceasefire as a “positive move” toward a final agreement, while Indonesia called for respect for sovereignty and diplomacy, alongside an investigation into the deaths of its UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.

Malaysia characterized the truce as a significant step toward restoring stability, warning against provocative actions that could derail fragile progress or disrupt global energy markets. Australia, meanwhile, highlighted the economic stakes, noting that prolonged conflict has already triggered major shocks to global oil supply and fuel prices.

New Zealand welcomed the development but cautioned that substantial work remains to secure a durable ceasefire, pointing to the broader regional and global disruptions caused by the conflict.

In Europe, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised the ceasefire and called for swift diplomatic efforts to translate the temporary truce into a permanent resolution.

Ukraine also endorsed the agreement, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urging the United States to apply similar resolve in ending Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

As preparations begin for the Islamabad talks, the ceasefire is widely seen as a fragile but vital opportunity to de-escalate tensions in one of the world’s most volatile regions and lay the groundwork for a comprehensive peace deal.