US-Iran Ceasefire Begins, Talks Set in Islamabad

A two-week ceasefire has taken effect in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, brokered by Pakistan, following more than five weeks of intense military operations that began on February 28. The pause, announced late last week, aims to halt bloodshed across the Middle East and pave the way for negotiations in Islamabad starting April 10, where U.S. and Iranian representatives will seek a durable peace agreement.

The war erupted after joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, military bases, and command centers, prompted by escalating tensions over Iran's nuclear program and regional influence. President Donald Trump had vowed to eliminate threats from Iran, including its ballistic missile and drone capabilities, and initially described the campaign as aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iranian forces responded with missile and drone attacks on U.S. assets and allies in the Gulf, while proxy militias disrupted operations, highlighting the challenges of U.S. air superiority against dispersed defenses.

The ceasefire came amid mounting domestic and economic pressures in the U.S., including surging fuel prices and...