LONDON: Leaders from several countries on Wednesday called on the United States and Iran to fully implement the recently announced Pakistan-brokered ceasefire, including Lebanon, and prevent further regional escalation.
They stressed the importance of ensuring the truce holds across all fronts to pave the way for lasting peace and stability.
In a joint statement, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Meloni, German Chancellor Merz, UK Prime Minister Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Danish acting Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Japanese Prime Minister Seiko Takaichi, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa thanked Pakistan and all partners involved for facilitating this important agreement.
“The goal must now be to negotiate a swift and lasting end to the war within the coming days. This can only be achieved through diplomatic means,” the statement added.
According to the statement, this will be crucial to protect the civilian population of Iran and ensure security in the region. It can avert a severe global energy crisis.
“We support these diplomatic efforts. To this end, we are in close contact with the United States and other partners,” it added.
“Our Governments will contribute to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” it concluded.
The two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran today is welcomed by the UK and our allies.
The goal now must be a lasting end to the war.
Alongside our international partners, the UK will work to ensure a return to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. pic.twitter.com/VFwhfNIt4o
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 8, 2026
Earlier on Wednesday morning, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the United States, its allies, and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire “everywhere”, including Lebanon, following mediation by his government to stop weeks of fighting.
“I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY,” Sharif posted on X.
Both Tehran and Washington announced they had agreed to a two-week ceasefire barely an hour before President Donald Trump’s deadline to obliterate Iran was set to expire.
Accepting Pakistan’s suggestion of a two-week ceasefire, US President Donald Trump announced a two-week suspension of military action against Iran following discussions with Pakistan’s leadership.
