Israel backs US pause on Iran strikes but limits ceasefire scope, as Tehran sets tough demands and high-stakes talks in Islamabad aim to avert wider conflict….reports Asian Lite News
A fragile diplomatic opening has emerged in the Middle East as Israel backed a US-led pause in strikes against Iran, while making clear that the temporary ceasefire does not extend to hostilities involving Lebanon.
In a statement from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel expressed support for the decision by Donald Trump to suspend military operations against Iran for two weeks. The move is part of a broader effort to de-escalate tensions and create space for negotiations following weeks of rising confrontation.
However, Israeli officials were quick to underline that the arrangement is limited in scope. The statement explicitly clarified that the ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon, signalling that Israel’s military posture towards threats along its northern border remains unchanged.
Israel backs US strategy, sets clear red lines
Israel’s endorsement of the pause reflects close alignment with Washington’s strategic objectives, particularly in preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear and missile capabilities or supporting militant networks in the region.
In its statement, Netanyahu’s office said Israel supports the US decision to halt strikes, provided Iran meets key conditions, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ceasing attacks against the United States, Israel and regional partners.
Israeli officials also stressed that the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring Iran does not pose a long-term threat. The two-week pause is therefore being framed not as a concession, but as a tactical step aimed at achieving broader security goals through diplomacy.
The ceasefire announcement came just 90 minutes before Trump’s self-imposed deadline for Iran to comply with US demands, highlighting the intensity of last-minute negotiations. Backchannel diplomacy is understood to have involved multiple actors, including Pakistan, which has emerged as a key intermediary.
A senior US official confirmed that Trump held direct talks with Netanyahu to finalise the framework, as well as discussions with Pakistan’s military leadership, including Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Meanwhile, Iran signalled conditional acceptance of the arrangement. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would halt its military operations if attacks against it cease, while agreeing to facilitate controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz during the two-week period.
Despite agreeing to the pause, Iran has made clear that the ceasefire does not mark the end of the conflict. In a statement, its Supreme National Security Council said negotiations would proceed with “complete distrust” of the United States.
Tehran has put forward a comprehensive 10-point proposal as the basis for talks. The demands include a US commitment to refrain from further aggression, recognition of Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, and acceptance of its nuclear enrichment programme.
Iran is also seeking the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions, the termination of United Nations and International Atomic Energy Agency resolutions against it, and the release of frozen assets held abroad. Additional conditions include compensation for war-related damages and the withdrawal of US forces from the region.
Crucially, Iran has called for any agreement to be formalised through a binding United Nations Security Council resolution, elevating it to the status of international law.
Talks in Islamabad
Negotiations are expected to begin in Islamabad on April 10, with both sides given a two-week window to finalise the details. The timeline may be extended by mutual agreement, depending on progress.
Iranian authorities have urged domestic support for the talks, while state media reported scenes of public celebration following the ceasefire announcement. Crowds gathered in Tehran waving national flags, reflecting cautious optimism after weeks of tension.
