Countries across the world have welcomed a two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, urging all sides to fully honour the deal and work towards a lasting peace in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, the truce was announced by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, with talks to finalise a broader peace agreement set to begin in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday. As part of the agreement, Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route that carries around one-fifth of global oil supplies.
Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on X that he supports Trump’s decision to suspend strikes on Iran and the US effort to ensure that Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile and terror threat to America, Israel, Iran’s Arab neighbours and the wider world. However, he noted that the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, where Israeli forces continue ground operations against Tehran-aligned Hezbollah.
Iraq
Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the ceasefire but stressed that both Washington and Tehran must fully commit to the agreement to achieve a lasting resolution. The ministry said it supports regional and international efforts to contain the crisis and emphasised the need to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy while avoiding further escalation, reports Al Jazeera. Iraq has been drawn into the conflict, with Iran-backed groups and US forces exchanging fire in recent months.
Egypt
Egypt described the ceasefire as a significant opportunity to advance negotiations and diplomacy. In a statement, its foreign ministry said the truce must be built on a full commitment to halting military operations and respecting freedom of international navigation, reports Al Jazeera. Egypt also said it will continue working with Pakistan and Turkiye to promote regional stability and noted that upcoming talks must consider the security concerns of Gulf nations.
United Nations
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the announcement and urged all parties to adhere strictly to the ceasefire terms to pave the way for comprehensive peace in the region, according to his spokesperson. In a statement, he stressed the urgent need to end hostilities to protect civilian lives and reduce human suffering, while also thanking Pakistan and other countries involved in facilitating the agreement.
Japan
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara described the ceasefire as a positive step as Tokyo looks ahead to a final agreement. He said de-escalation in the Middle East remains a top priority, reports Kyodo News Agency.
Malaysia
Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ceasefire marks a crucial step towards easing tensions and restoring stability in the region. It urged all parties to fully respect the agreement and avoid any provocative actions that could undermine fragile stability or threaten global energy security, reports Al Jazeera.
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong welcomed the ceasefire and expressed hope it would lead to a lasting resolution. They warned that Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on commercial vessels and energy infrastructure have caused major disruptions to global energy supplies and fuel prices. They also thanked Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia for their roles in facilitating the truce.
New Zealand
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the ceasefire is encouraging but noted that significant work remains to secure a lasting agreement. In a statement he said the conflict has caused widespread disruption across the Middle East and beyond, and praised countries including Pakistan, Turkiye and Egypt for their mediation efforts, reports Al Jazeera.
