Donald Trump has agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran on the condition that shipping is allowed to move through the Strait of Hormuz. But an explosion has reportedly rocked an Iranian oil refinery “after” the agreement was reached.
Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social: “I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE!”
Following the announcement, the President claimed there is no question the US had won a “total and complete victory”. He said Iran’s uranium would be “perfectly taken care of” under the deal.
Iran’s Mehr news agency now says there has been an explosion at an Iranian oil refinery on Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf, reportedly after the ceasefire was agreed. The source of the explosion is not yet known.
According to an Iranian state broadcaster, a 10-point plan for the conditional ceasefire includes “complete and permanent cessation of the war on Iran with no time limit”.
China and Pakistan ‘threaten nuclear strikes on Israel’ as world ‘on the brink’
China and Pakistan have threatened to nuke Israel if it carries out nuclear strikes on Iran, putting the world on the “brink of a nuclear holocaust,” according to an expert.
“China and Pakistan have said that if Israel nukes Iran, they will nuke Israel,” Cenk Uygur said during an appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored. “So here we are on the precipice of a nuclear holocaust because this baboon [Trump] is in office”.
Terrifying WW3 warning. Cenk Uygur reveals China and Pakistan officially warned they will nuke Israel if Israel drops a nuclear bomb on Iran. Trump’s disastrous subservience to Netanyahu has put the entire world on the absolute brink of a nuclear holocaust. pic.twitter.com/EA2CpzX2HC
— Furkan Gözükara (@FurkanGozukara) April 8, 2026
Blast at Iranian oil refinery hours ‘after’ ceasefire announced
An explosion has been reported at an Iranian oil refinery hours after a ceasefire was announced.
Iran’s Mehr News agency said a blast struck the Lavan oil refinery on Wednesday – the source of the explosion is currently unknown.
The refinery is located on Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf, part of Iran’s Hormozgan Province.
The attack came after Trump agreed to halt US-Israeli bombing for two weeks, after Iran sent a 10-point proposal to halt the conflict.
IDF “continuing ground operations” in Lebanon
The Israel Defence Force has said it will continue “targeted ground operations against Hezbollah” in Lebanon as Israeli air strikes pound the southern Lebanese city of Tyre.
In accordance with directives from the political echelon, the IDF has ceased fire in the operation against Iran, and is highly prepared to respond defensively against any violation.
Overnight, the IDF conducted a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting missile launch sites and…
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 8, 2026
Israel strike Lebanon as they say ceasefire does not apply
Huge plumes of smoke have been pictured rising over the southern Lebanese city of Tyre after fresh Israeli strikes.
Earlier this morning citizens living in Tyre were told by the Israeli Defence Force to evacuate their homes immediately and move north.
When the ceasefire, brokered between the US-Israeli forces and Iran with the help of Pakistani diplomats, was announced earlier both Pakistan and Iran stated it included Lebanon.
Israel later said it has agreed to halt attacks on Iran but added that it will continue to strike Lebanon, which it said was excluded from the ceasefire in contradiction to earlier claims made by Pakistan.
Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group fighting against Israel in Lebanon have reportedly said they halted fire in the early hours of this morning after the agreement was announced. Hezbollah have said they will issue a statement giving their formal position on the ceasefire, according to reports.
Trump says he knows who stepped in to persuade Iran to negotiate ceasefire
Donald Trump believes Beijing was involved in convincing Tehran to negotiate before the two countries announced a two-week ceasefire
Stock markets soar after ceasefire announcement
Stock markets have reacted positively to news of the ceasefire in the Middle East, with the UK FTSE 100 up 2.75% so far today.
The news follows a rise in stock markets in South Korea and Japan, both of which rely heavily on oil imports from the region.
In Europe the Stoxx 600 index had also shot up by 3.5% following the announcement.
Bahrain slams ‘Iranian aggression’ as two injured in drone attack
Bahrain has been hit in a drone attack hours after the ceasefire was announced, its interior ministry has said, in a statement condemning “Iranian aggression”.
Two people sustained “minor injuries” due to falling shrapnel in the Sitra area. “A number of houses” were also damaged,the ministry said, due to falling shrapnel from the drone.
It has not been confirmed whether the drone was fired by Iran before the ceasefire was announced.
(Correction) MOI: As a result of the Iranian aggression, a number of houses were damaged in the Sitra area as a result of shrapnel falling from the interception of an Iranian drone.
— Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) April 8, 2026
Israel tells civilians in Lebanese city told to ‘evacuate immediately’
People living in the Lebanese city of Tyre, in southern Lebanon have been told to “evacuate your homes immediately”.
The warning came from the Israeli military, with civilians warned to move north of the Zahrani River “to ensure your safety”.
The earlier ceasefire announcement reportedly ushered in a two week period of peace between Iran and Israel as well as the US, however the Israelis have said that the agreement does not cover Lebanon.
What you need to know about the ceasefire
Donald Trump has hailed a “big day for world peace” following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between Iran and US-Israeli forces. The announcement came after a series of deadlines issued by the US president, the latest of which was due to expire at 1am this morning UK time.
- Trump has said that unless Iran was willing to “make a deal” and re-open the Strait of Hormuz, then the US would “reign hell” on Iran. In another threat yesterday the US president warned that “whole civilisation will die” if Tehran did not agree to the deal.
- Tehran has now said it would permit “safe passage” through the strait over the course of the two-week ceasefire – brokered between the combatants with the help of officials in Pakistan. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has offered to host peace talks between the two sides, with discussions scheduled to begin on Friday in Islamabad.
- Meanwhile Israel has agreed to halt attacks on Iran but says that it will continue to strike Lebanon, which it said was excluded from the ceasefire in contradiction to earlier claims made by Pakistan.
- The announcement has had a dramatic impact on oil prices, which fell following the ceasefire declaration, however markets remain much higher than they were before the war.
- Keir Starmer has announced that he will visit the Gulf today. The UK Prime Minister said that Britain will “do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire. I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world,” he said. “Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz.”
- Starmer is set to meet leaders of countries which have been on the front line and reiterate his support for the ceasefire and the need for a long-term diplomatic solution to the war. Downing Street also said the PM will hold talks on ensuring the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains permanent, with the UK taking a leading role in the efforts.
READ MORE: Everything we know about Iran and US ceasefire as Trump declares ‘total victory’
“We must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire” – Starmer
Here is some more information on the Prime Minister’s recently announced trip to the Gulf.
Keir Starmer said “I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world,” he said.
“Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz.”
Starmer is set to meet leaders of countries which have been on the front line and reiterate his support for the ceasefire and the need for a long-term diplomatic solution to the war.
Downing Street also said the PM will hold talks on ensuring the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains permanent, with the UK taking a leading role in the efforts.
Keir Starmer travelling to the Middle East
Downing Street has said Keir Starmer is heading to the Gulf today to “discuss diplomatic efforts to support and uphold the ceasefire”. The Prime Minister will meet with leaders in the region following the ceasefire announcement.
Trump hails ‘big day for world peace’
In a post on his Truth social platform Trump has welcomed the ceasefire saying that the US will remain “hangin’ around” in the region to make sure “everything goes well”.
Sirens sounded in Bahrain after ceasefire
Sirens sounded in Bahrain after ceasefire was called. According to Bahrain’s Interior Ministry a fire at a facility in Bahrain has been extinguished after an Iranian strike.
There were reports of several strikes as the announcement was made so it is not clear when Iran launched this attack.
Lebanon warns people not to head south
Lebanon’s Crisis Management Unit has urged displaced people not to travel south following the ceasefire agreement. After the announcement was made many started to pack their belongings and head south, thinking that the agreement also included Lebanon.
The area where Israel and the Hezbollah militant group are at war is not part of the deal hence the unit’s statement.
UK petrol and diesel drivers urged to fill up as prices fall
Global oil prices rapidly fell after the US and Iran announced a conditional two-week ceasefire deal that demands the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.
Experts have warned that despite the immediate fall, it will take some time for drivers to feel the full benefit of the reopening at the pump. However if you haven’t filled up your car yet, it would be best to do so before Thursday at 5pm.
Iranians gather in streets following announcement
Iranians have taken to the street to react after a ceasefire announcement at the Enqelab square, in Tehran, on April 8. It comes as a sense of relief is shared by many as power plants will no longer be attacked.
Trump has claimed ‘total and complete victory’
Following the announcement of ceasefire Donald Trump has claimed that there is no question the US had won a “total and complete victory”.
He said that Iran’s uranium would be “perfectly taken care of” under the deal in an interview with Agence France Presse.
“Or I wouldn’t have settled,” Trump said.
‘A big day for World Peace’ says Trump
After the announcement of ceasefire Trump has taken to his social media platform to say it is ‘a big day for World Peace!’
His post added: “Iran wants it to happen, they’ve had enough! Likewise, so has everyone else! The United States of America will be helping with the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz. There will be lots of positive action!”
He continued that freeing the Strait of Hormuz could unlock the ‘Golden Age of the Middle East’.
Negotiations to begin on Friday
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said it would negotiate with the US in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, beginning on Friday.
But while accepting a ceasefire, it said in a statement: “It is emphasised that this does not signify the termination of the war.
“Our hands remain upon the trigger, and should the slightest error be committed by the enemy, it shall be met with full force.”
UN Secretary welcomes ceasefire
UN Secretary General António Guterres “welcomes the announcement of a two-week ceasefire by the United States and Iran,” according to his spokesperson.
The statement said: “He calls on all the parties to the current conflict in the Middle East to comply with their obligations under international law and to abide by the terms of the ceasefire in order to pave the way toward a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region.”
Israel confirm ceasefire does not include Lebanon
Hours after the announcement of ceasefire was made, Israel have released a statement. It reads:
Israel supports President Trump’s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region.
Israel also supports the US effort to ensure that Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile and terror threat to America, Israel, Iran’s Arab neighbors and the world.
The United States has told Israel that it is committed to achieving these goals, shares by the US, Israel and Israel’s regional allies, in the upcoming negotiations.”
The two-weeks ceasefire does not include Lebanon.
Israel remain silent after ceasefire announcement
Israel are yet to issue an official response to the ceasefire announcement by US and Iran.
It is not clear if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had much involvement in the decision-making by Donald Trump.
Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the ceasefire included Lebanon but this has not been confirmed.
Israel’s leadership have claimed previously they will not leave Lebanon until the threat from Hezbollah has been removed.
White House claim victory
The White House has claimed victory following the announcement of ceasefire.
Posting on social media, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said “This is a victory for the United States that President Trump and our incredible military made happen.
“From the very beginning of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump estimated this would be a 4-6 week operation. Thanks to the unbelievable capabilities of our warriors, we have achieved and exceeded our core military objectives in 38 days.
She added that Trump “got the Strait of Hormuz reopened”.
Oil prices fall
Following president Trump’s announcement the price of oil has fallen.
The price of global benchmark Brent crude fell about 13.6 per cent to $94.50 (£70.58) a barrel after the conditional ceasefire agreement.
US-traded oil also dropped in price by around 14.3 per cent to $96.80.
Ahead of the double sided ceasefire, which will see attacks stop for two weeks, the benchmarks were trading well above $100 a barrel.
Abu Dhabi deal with fire at gas facility
Abu Dhabi authorities have confirmed they are dealing with a fire at a gas facility.
A statement posted on X reads: “The competent authorities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are dealing with a fire incident at the Habshan gas processing facility.
” You will be provided with updates as soon as they become available. The competent authorities urge the public to obtain information from official sources only, and to avoid circulating rumors or unverified information.”
Iran state TV mocks Donald Trump’s ceasefire as ‘a humiliating retreat’
Iran’s state television has declared Donald Trump’s ceasefire as a humiliating climbdown for his military ambitions. The US President backtracked on his threats to “end” civilisation as he announced the deal before his chilling deadline.
Pakistan announced ceasefire minutes before Trump’s deadline
Pakistan have said that the ceasefire was called just minutes before Trump’s deadline. The US president had set the deadline of 8pm EDT (1am BST) to reach a ceasefire deal before carrying out nationwide attacks.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said a ceasefire was “EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY” just ten minutes before its expiration.
Negotiations to be held in Pakistan
The conditional ceasefire negotiations will be held in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad according to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC). A SNSC statement said there will be a maximum period of 15 days for the details to be “finalised”.
The statement added that the negotiations will be held so that “Iran’s victory in the field would also be consolidated in political negotiations”.
Sirens sound in Israel after Trump’s announcement
Just minutes after Trump made the ceasefire announcement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified missiles launched from Iran and warned the public to enter a safe space until further notice.
The IDF says “defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat”.
Iran’s 10 point plan
Iran’s list of demands put to President Trump has been made public following the agreement of a ceasefire. Iran’s 10-point plan includes:
1. Guarantee that Iran will not be attacked again
2. Permanent end to the war, not just a ceasefire
3. End to Israeli strikes in Lebanon
4. Lifting of all US sanctions on Iran
5. End to all regional fighting against Iranian allies
6. In return, Iran would open the Strait of Hormuz
7. Iran would impose a Hormuz fee of $2 million per ship
8. Iran would split these fees with Oman
9. Iran to provide rules for safe passage through Hormuz
10. Iran to use Hormuz fees for reconstruction instead of reparations