EditorialWorld cannot afford a breakdown in US-Iran ceasefire talks

Eleventh-hour pause in hostilities and global instabilities leave no room for any miscalculation that heightens distrust

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People celebrate after the announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the Iran war, in Tehran, on April 8. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

Published: 7:15am, 9 Apr 2026

The United States has pulled back from the brink of an escalation of its bombing war against Iran. Just seven days after Pakistan and China called for a ceasefire and peace talks in a five-point plan, Pakistan has brokered a two-week pause in hostilities between the US and its ally Israel, and Iran, to open the way for negotiations. It reportedly calls for a halt to the bombing of Iran, to Iranian attacks on Israel and on neighbours who host US bases, and to the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a sea passage for about a fifth of world oil supplies.

Geopolitically, it could be good news for global security because the conflict has engulfed a volatile region and raised tensions with American allies, especially in Europe.

Economically, it offers the prospect of relief from the snowballing impact, which had begun to be felt even in Hong Kong, directly and indirectly through higher fuel and other prices.

President Donald Trump said Washington had received a 10-point proposal from Iran and believed it could serve as “a workable basis on which to negotiate”. He believed China, which has been active diplomatically behind the scenes, had played a part in bringing Iran to the negotiating table. Earlier, China and Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have reopened the waterway amid fears of more US and Israeli aggression.

Fruitful talks depend in part on the scrupulous observance of the ceasefire terms. Trump said the suspension of military action was “subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz”.

Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi said: “If attacks against Iran are halted […] safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible.” Oil prices eased and shares surged on the news. But there is no room for any miscalculation that heightens distrust. The world cannot afford a breakdown of talks that further imperils supply chains.

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Eleventh-hour pause in hostilities and global instabilities leave no room for any miscalculation that heightens distrust

Eleventh-hour pause in hostilities and global instabilities leave no room for any miscalculation that heightens distrust