World welcomes US-Iran ceasefire, though key questions remain

ISLAMABAD (MNTV) — Governments across the world have greeted Tuesday’s U.S.-Iran ceasefire announcement with a mix of relief and measured caution, welcoming the pause in hostilities while urging both sides to honour their commitments as formal negotiations prepare to open in Islamabad on Friday.

Fractured welcome

The broadest theme running through international reactions was cautious optimism.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on all parties to abide by the ceasefire terms to pave the way toward lasting regional peace, while thanking Pakistan and partner nations for their facilitation efforts.

Japan called it a “positive move,” Malaysia described it as a “crucial step,” and Australia warned that the longer the war continued, the greater its toll on both the global economy and human lives.

But beneath the welcome, several governments were careful to flag what remains unresolved.

Israel draws a line

The most consequential caveat came from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who expressed support for Trump’s decision but was explicit that the ceasefire “does not include Lebanon” — where Israeli forces are engaged in a ground invasion against Hezbollah.

The statement immediately raised questions about whether a partial ceasefire can hold, given Iran’s insistence that any agreement must cover its entire axis of regional allies.

Regional voices

Iraq, caught in the crossfire as Tehran-backed groups and U.S. forces traded fire on its soil, welcomed the news but stressed that full commitment from both parties was essential.

Egypt, which participated in the Islamabad consultations alongside Pakistan and Türkiye, urged that negotiations account for the legitimate security concerns of Gulf nations and called for respect of international navigation freedoms — a pointed reference to the Hormuz blockade that sent fuel prices soaring worldwide.

Pakistan’s recognition

Multiple governments — including Australia, New Zealand, and Egypt — specifically credited Pakistan, alongside Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, for their role in brokering the truce.

For Islamabad, the acknowledgment adds international weight to what analysts have already called one of Pakistan’s most significant diplomatic achievements in decades.

What comes next

The ceasefire gives diplomats a narrow two-week window to negotiate something durable. Iran has already tabled a sweeping 10-point plan covering maritime control, sanctions relief, U.S. troop withdrawal, and compensation — demands that will test the limits of what Washington is prepared to offer.

With talks set to begin Friday in Islamabad, the coming days will reveal whether Tuesday’s relief was the beginning of a resolution — or simply a pause before the next crisis.