Iran-US war latest: Trump claims ‘total victory’ after reaching two-week ceasefire deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz – UK Times

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres calls on all parties “to abide by the terms of the ceasefire in order to pave the way towards a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region,” his spokesperson said.

Guterres also calls on the parties to comply with their obligations under international law, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

International law requires the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.

“The secretary-general underscores that an end to hostilities is urgently needed to protect civilian lives and alleviate human suffering,” Dujarric said.

Jean Arnault, the secretary-general’s personal envoy, is in the region “to support efforts toward lasting peace,” the spokesperson added.

Lebanon’s health ministry said at least eight people were killed and another 22 people were wounded in an Israeli airstrike on Sidon in southern Lebanon.

The strike came without warning, and the Israeli military did not immediately specify who it was targeting.

At least 1,530 people have been killed in the latest war between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group, according to reports.

Donald Trump, in a new post on Truth Social, said: “A big day for World Peace! 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! Big money will be made.

“Iran can start the reconstruction process. We’ll be loading up with supplies of all kinds, and just “hangin’ around” in order to make sure that everything goes well. I feel confident that it will.”Just like we are experiencing in the US, this could be the Golden Age of the Middle East!!!”

Donald Trump has claimed the US ​won a “total ⁠and complete victory” ⁠after agreeing ​to a ⁠two-week ‌ceasefire deal with Iran.

“Total and ‌complete victory. ‌100 per cent. No ⁠question about it,” Trump told AFP news agency.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed Iraqi militias, said in a statement early this morning that it will halt its operations in Iraq and the region for two weeks.

The announcement came hours after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

Iran-backed militias in Iraq have claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks on US bases and other facilities in the country in solidarity with Tehran since the war began.

President Donald Trump fired off a seething threat against CNN Tuesday night in response to its reporting Iran had claimed a “great victory” over the US following the president’s announcement to delay his ceasefire deadline by two weeks.

Trump had originally given Iran until 8pm ET on Tuesday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning a refusal would mean a “whole civilization will die.”

Around 90 minutes before that deadline, Trump and the White House released statements saying the US and Iran had agreed to negotiate an end to hostilities that would include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the suspension of fighting for two weeks.

US secretary of state Marco Rubio has confirmed that American journalist Shelley Kittleson, who was kidnapped last week in Iraq, has been released.

Kittleson was abducted by the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah from a street corner in Baghdad on 31 March.

Rubio said in a statement posted on X: “We are relieved that this American is now freed and are working to support her safe departure from Iraq.

“He thanked the Iraqi authorities, as well as the FBI and US defence department and other US agencies, for their work towards securing Kittleson’s release.

US president Donald Trump told the AFP news agency that he believes China was able to convince Iran to negotiate ‌a ⁠ceasefire.

China, Tehran’s biggest trading partner, spoke with the Iranians to get them on board, two officials told AP.

Chinese officials were in touch with Iranian officials to encourage Tehran to find a path to a ceasefire deal as the negotiations were evolving, the officials said.

Beijing had been working with intermediaries, including Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt, as it tried to use its influence, said one of the officials, who was not authorised to comment publicly on the diplomatic matter.

Earlier Tuesday, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said: “All parties need to demonstrate sincerity and quickly end this war that should not have happened in the first place.”

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has condemned Donald Trump’s “civilisation-ending” warning to Iran before the US president announced a temporary ceasefire.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to use language such as that from the president of the United States and I think it will cause some concern,” he told Sky News Australia.

“The potential of damage to civilian infrastructure in Iran was an extraordinary statement, and the impact that would have arisen from an escalation in the Iranian response would have led to greater economic damage.”

Trump had warned “a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again”.