Iran is observing the 40th day since the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday, with large crowds expected to take to the streets. Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike in Tehran on February 28, which marked the beginning of a coordinated military campaign against Iran.

In Iranian tradition, the 40th day after a person’s death, known as Chehlum or Chollisha, holds deep religious significance. Following Khamenei’s death, his son Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the role of Supreme Leader, though he has yet to appear publicly. The day of commemoration coincides with the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

The overlap of the mourning observance and the truce announcement underscores a moment of both reflection and uncertainty in Iran’s political and military landscape.

After 39 days of fighting, the United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, according to an announcement by US President Donald Trump on his social media platform Truth Social. Trump said he accepted a proposal from Tehran that includes the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Calling it a 'great day for world peace,' he added that the US would help manage traffic in the strait to ensure smooth operations and described the moment as potentially the 'golden age of the Middle East.'

The ceasefire follows weeks of escalating threats. Prior to the talks, Trump had warned of attacks on Iran’s power plants and bridges, even threatening to send Iran 'back to the Stone Age.' Iran responded that the war would continue until the US faced 'permanent humiliation, regret, and surrender.'

Both sides are claiming victory. Trump told AFP that the ceasefire represents a 'complete and total victory' for the US, while Iran’s Supreme Security Council said it also views the truce as a victory but warned that its forces remain on alert and ready to respond to any provocation.

Iran has presented a 10-point proposal following the announcement of a ceasefire with the United States and Israel. According to Iran’s state news agency Fars, the plan includes demands for lifting all sanctions and ending the US military presence in the Middle East. The proposal is reportedly accepted by Donald Trump as the basis for an upcoming meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The plan covers a wide range of strategic issues, including a commitment by Iran not to develop nuclear weapons, withdrawal of US combat forces from the region, and restrictions on attacks from regional bases. It also calls for limited ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian regulations, removal of all UN and other sanctions, creation of a compensation fund for war damages, and recognition of Iran’s right to enrich uranium. Additionally, it seeks permission for regional peace talks and expansion of non-aggression policies toward resistance groups.

The proposals are expected to form the foundation of the scheduled Iran-US discussions in Islamabad on Friday, with all commitments to be formalized through a UN resolution.

More than 1,530 people have been killed and about 4,812 injured in Lebanon’s southern region during over a month of fighting between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah, according to the country’s health ministry as reported by AFP. Among the dead are 102 women and 130 children, highlighting the heavy civilian toll of the conflict.

The report comes as U.S. President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Netanyahu clarified that the ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon, leaving the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah unaffected.

The exclusion of Lebanon from the ceasefire raises concerns about continued violence in the region, with no indication of an immediate de-escalation in the southern areas of the country.

US President Donald Trump has announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, a move welcomed by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. However, the council cautioned that Iran’s forces remain on alert, stating that their hands are still on the trigger and any hostile action will be met with full force.

The statement followed weeks of conflict that began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day. The Iranian council expressed gratitude to the nation for its sacrifices, claiming that most of Iran’s war objectives have been achieved and that the enemy has been pushed into historic weakness and lasting defeat.

Tehran confirmed that bilateral talks between the United States and Iran will begin on April 10 in Islamabad and continue for two weeks. Iran described the ceasefire as the enemy’s surrender on the battlefield and said it would celebrate a historic victory if the talks lead to a lasting political outcome.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform TruthSocial that the United States will assist in managing traffic congestion in the Strait of Hormuz. In his post, Trump stated that the U.S. would be present with all necessary supplies to ensure smooth operations and described the situation as a potential 'golden age' for the Middle East. He also mentioned that significant profits could be made and that Iran might begin a reconstruction process.

According to an earlier Associated Press report cited by Al Jazeera, under a ceasefire agreement, fees collected from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz would be directed to an Iranian reconstruction fund. Trump did not provide details on how the U.S. role would be implemented or what specific actions would be taken.

The announcement suggests a possible shift in U.S. involvement in the region’s maritime operations, though the scope and timeline of this assistance remain unspecified.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered the country’s armed forces to halt shelling, while emphasizing that the ceasefire does not signify the end of the war. His directive was broadcast on Iran’s state television on April 8, 2026, where he instructed all branches of the military to comply with the order to stop firing.

Tehran clarified that the ceasefire should not be interpreted as a conclusion to the conflict. The Iranian leadership warned that its forces remain ready to respond to any attack from the United States or Israel, stating that their hands remain on the trigger. Following the ceasefire announcement, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council reiterated that any hostile move from the adversary would be met with full force.

The statements underscore Iran’s cautious stance, signaling a temporary pause in active combat operations while maintaining readiness for potential escalation if provoked.

US President Donald Trump has agreed to postpone a previously announced large-scale attack on Iran for at least two weeks. Following his announcement, Iran’s Supreme Security Council welcomed the decision, while the United Nations and several countries expressed support for the temporary ceasefire.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged all parties involved in the Middle East conflict to comply with international law and uphold the ceasefire terms to pave the way for lasting peace. Australia’s Prime Minister’s office said the country hopes the ceasefire continues and leads to a resolution. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister’s office described the development as encouraging but warned that significant work remains to ensure lasting peace. Japan called for concrete steps, including ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq welcomed the ceasefire and urged sustained dialogue between the US and Iran.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced that the US, Iran, and their allies had agreed to a ceasefire effective immediately, including in Lebanon. However, Israel later clarified that Lebanon is not covered by the two-week truce.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was abducted in Baghdad on March 31, has been released after a week in captivity. The Iran-backed militia group Kataib Hezbollah earlier stated it would release her on the condition that she immediately leave Iraq. Rubio described the release as a reflection of the Trump administration’s commitment to the safety of US citizens worldwide.

He expressed gratitude to Iraqi officials for their assistance in securing Kittleson’s release and said the United States is now working to ensure her safe departure from Iraq. The 49-year-old journalist’s abduction had prompted an Iraqi government response, with security forces pursuing suspects, leading to a vehicle crash and one arrest.

According to the report, the release followed coordination between US and Iraqi authorities, though details of the negotiation process were not disclosed.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the two-week ceasefire announced between the United States and Iran. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, confirmed the statement, noting that Guterres urged all parties to adhere strictly to international law and the terms of the ceasefire. The Secretary-General emphasized that the cessation of hostilities could open a path toward sustainable and comprehensive peace in the region.

Guterres further stressed the urgent need to halt conflict to protect civilian lives and reduce humanitarian suffering. Dujarric also confirmed that the Secretary-General’s personal envoy, Jean Arnault, is currently in the region assisting efforts to establish lasting peace.

The announcement reflects the UN’s continued engagement in promoting stability and humanitarian relief amid ongoing tensions between the two nations.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States achieved a 'complete and final victory' in its war with Iran. In an interview with AFP, Trump said the claim followed the signing of a two-week ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran. He described the outcome as 'complete and final victory, one hundred percent,' adding that there could be no question about it. When asked whether he would carry out his earlier threat to destroy Iran’s civilian infrastructure if Tehran violated the agreement, Trump declined to answer, saying only that people would have to wait.

Earlier, after Trump announced a two-week suspension of attacks on Iran, Iran’s Supreme Security Council welcomed the decision in a statement. Israel also agreed to halt its attacks. Following the announcement of the ceasefire, global oil prices dropped by 10 percent, according to CNN.

The developments mark a temporary pause in hostilities, though uncertainty remains about the durability of the truce and future U.S.-Iran relations.

The United States and Israel have launched extensive attacks on Iran’s power plants, bridges, and rail infrastructure after President Donald Trump’s ultimatum for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz neared its deadline. The strikes, which damaged universities, hospitals, and oil facilities, killed at least 16 people across Iran. Washington and Tel Aviv also targeted Kharg Island, a key oil export hub, hitting around 50 sites and causing widespread power outages. Trump warned that Iran faced destruction if it failed to comply, while the White House denied any plan for nuclear strikes.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed that any further US attacks would draw responses beyond the Middle East. Tehran has already retaliated by striking American and Israeli-linked assets in the region, with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE reporting intercepted drones and missiles. Pakistan has been mediating between Washington and Tehran, but diplomatic progress remains stalled.

As tensions escalate, both sides appear to be preparing for broader conflict. The US Central Command said it has hit over 13,000 Iranian targets under “Operation Epic Fury,” while Iran continues counterstrikes across the region.

Iran and Oman have been authorized to collect tolls from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as part of a two-week ceasefire agreement brokered by Pakistan, according to a report by the Associated Press. A regional official cited by the agency said Iran plans to use the revenue for national reconstruction, while Oman’s intended use of the funds remains unclear.

The Strait of Hormuz, previously treated as an international waterway, lies within the territorial waters of both Iran and Oman. Until now, there had been no precedent for imposing tolls on vessels transiting the strait. The new arrangement marks a significant strategic shift in how the two countries manage this critical maritime passage.

Analysts view the decision as a notable development in regional maritime governance, potentially altering navigation and trade dynamics in one of the world’s most vital shipping routes.

Iran has announced the suspension of its defensive military operations following a ceasefire declaration by Donald Trump. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the decision was made as part of a two-week truce agreement mediated by Pakistan. Under this arrangement, both Iran and Oman will be allowed to collect tolls from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Araghchi emphasized that Iran’s armed forces would halt their operations if attacks against the country ceased. He also confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global trade route, would remain open for safe passage over the next two weeks. However, he noted that coordination with Iran’s armed forces and consideration of technical constraints would be required for navigation.

The announcement marks a positive response from Iran amid the ongoing ceasefire process facilitated by Pakistan and the United States, signaling a temporary easing of regional tensions.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the recently declared two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran does not apply to Lebanon. According to an official statement, Israel has agreed to suspend attacks against Iran on certain conditions. These include Iran immediately reopening the Strait of Hormuz and halting all forms of attacks against the United States, Israel, and regional countries.

The statement further clarified that the ceasefire’s scope is limited strictly to Iran and does not extend to Lebanon. It also noted that Israel supports U.S. efforts aimed at preventing Iran from emerging as a future nuclear, missile, or terrorist threat.

The announcement underscores Israel’s continued security concerns in the region and its alignment with U.S. strategic objectives regarding Iran’s military and regional activities.