Pakistan-Brokered Ceasefire Halts US-Israel-Iran Conflict

A fragile two-week ceasefire has taken hold after 40 days of intense conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, offering a tentative pause in hostilities that began on February 28, 2026. Brokered by Pakistan, the agreement halts missile and airstrike operations and paves the way for high-level negotiations in Islamabad starting April 11, aimed at addressing core disputes over Iran's nuclear program, sanctions, and control of the Strait of Hormuz.

The war, which the United States dubbed Operation Epic Fury and Iran called True Promise 4, stemmed from Israel's post-October 2023 strategy to neutralize perceived regional threats, with Washington providing military support. Lacking a United Nations Security Council mandate or clear invocation of self-defense, the campaign involved strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, resulting in the deaths of senior Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments, disrupting maritime traffic and causing widespread economic strain.

Under the ceasefire terms, ships can now pass safely through the strait for the first time...