Trump terms Iran deal a 'total and complete victory,' White House says discussing in-person talks

This live blog follows updates for Day 40 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 39, go here.

• US and Israeli media report Israel agrees to a possible ceasefire
• Donald Trump pauses planned Iran strikes for two weeks amid negotiations
• Iran launches missiles toward Israel as military tensions continue escalating
• Israel warns of evacuations in Lebanon while continuing strikes against Hezbollah targets
• Global concern rises as oil prices surge and regional security deteriorates.

NATO chief set for Trump talks as US-Iran truce begins

Published: April 7, 2026 | 02:50GMT | By AFP 

NATO chief Mark Rutte will hold talks with Donald Trump in Washington, one day after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

The US president has expressed anger at Western partners' refusal to back his war on Iran, rocking the 77-year-old transatlantic alliance.

He branded NATO partners "cowards" for limiting US forces' access to bases on their territories and for refusing to lead efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz.

But NATO's secretary-general touts a record of pulling Trump back onside — and will be looking to do so again when he meets the president, as well as US top diplomat Marco Rubio and defense chief Pete Hegseth.

Iran deal a 'total and complete victory' for US: Trump 

Published: April 7, 2026 | 02:41GMT | By AFP 

President Donald Trump told AFP on Tuesday that the United States had won a "total and complete victory" after agreeing a two-week ceasefire deal with Iran.

"Total and complete victory. 100 percent. No question about it," Trump said in a brief telephone interview shortly after the announcement of the truce.

Trump believes China got Iran to negotiate, says Iran's uranium will be 'perfectly taken care of'

Published: April 7, 2026 | 02:15GMT | By Web Desk 

US President Donald Trump told AFP that he believed China had helped get Iran to the negotiating table to agree a two-week ceasefire deal.

"I hear yes," Trump said in a telephone call when asked if Beijing was involved in getting key ally Tehran to negotiate on a truce.

Trump is due to travel to Beijing in May to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

While speaking to AFP. he also said that Iran's uranium would be "perfectly taken care of" under a two-week ceasefire deal with Tehran.

"That will be perfectly taken care of, or I wouldn't have settled," Trump said in a telephone interview when asked about what would happen to Iran's enriched uranium.

Ceasefire deal a 'victory' for the US: White House

Published: April 7, 2026 | 02:15GMT | By Web Desk 

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the two-week ceasefire in the Iran war, calling it a "victory" for the United States.

"This is a victory for the United States that President Trump and our incredible military made happen," Leavitt wrote on X.

"The success of our military created maximum leverage, allowing President Trump and the team to engage in tough negotiations that have now created an opening for a diplomatic solution and long-term peace."

PM Sharif invites Iran, US delegations to 'Islamabad Talks' for negotiations on Friday  

Published: April 7, 2026 | 00:15GMT | By Web Desk 

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the United States and Iran had agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere, effective immediately, inviting delegations from both countries to Islamabad on Friday, April 10, "to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes."

In a post on X, the premier said that both parties "displayed remarkable wisdom and understanding and have remained constructively engaged in furthering the cause of peace and stability." 

"We earnestly hope that the 'Islamabad Talks' succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in coming days!" 

Egypt welcomes US-Iran ceasefire

Published: April 7, 2026 | 01:32GMT | By Web Desk

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the move “represents a very important opportunity that must be seized to make room for negotiations, diplomacy and constructive dialogue”.

The ministry said in a statement on Facebook that the truce must be built upon with a full commitment to “stopping military operations and respecting freedom of international navigation”.

It said Egypt will continue efforts with Pakistan and Turkey “to promote security and stability in the region” and the talks between the US and Iran “must take into account the legitimate security concerns” of the Gulf nations.

Israel also agreed to Iran ceasefire: White House

Published: April 7, 2026 | 01:32GMT | By AFP

Israel has also agreed to the ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran after more than six weeks of conflict in the Middle East, a White House official said Tuesday.

Israel did not immediately react to the ceasefire announcement. Its assault on Lebanon in response to rocket fire by Iranian-backed Hezbollah has led to more than 1,500 deaths, according to Lebanese authorities.

Pakistan said that the United States, Iran and their allies had agreed to a ceasefire "everywhere," including Lebanon, following mediation by Islamabad.

Trump threat against Iran's civilian infrastructure not 'appropriate': Australian PM

Published: April 7, 2026 | 01:32GMT | By AFP

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described US President Donald Trump's threat to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure as not "appropriate," but he welcomed a two-week ceasefire as "positive."

"I don't think it's appropriate to use language such as that from the president of the United States, and I think it will cause some concern," Albanese told Sky News Australia.

"We have called for is a de-escalation, and that is what has occurred, and that's a good thing," he added.

White House says discussing in-person talks with Iran

Published: April 7, 2026 | 01:19GMT | By AFP

The White House is considering in-person talks with Iran but they have not been finalized, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, after Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

"There are discussions about in-person talks, but nothing is final until announced by the President or the White House," Leavitt said after Iran said it agreed to talks with the United States to begin Friday in Pakistan.

US oil contract WTI plunges 17% after US, Iran agree to truce

Published: April 7, 2026 | 00:45GMT | By AFP

The US oil benchmark plunged more than 17% after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

A barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was trading around $93.03, down 17.64 percent at around 2330 GMT.

Iran agrees to safe passage through Hormuz strait for two weeks 'if attacks halted'

Published: April 7, 2026 | 00:30 | By AFP

Iran said it would guarantee safe passage for maritime traffic through the vital Strait of Hormuz for two weeks, announcing that the pause would be used for talks with the United States on ending the war, starting Friday in Islamabad.

"For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran's Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X.

The Islamic Republic's Supreme National Security Council said in a separate statement that the negotiations were set to last two weeks but could be "extended by mutual agreement of the parties."