The world has welcomed a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States following Pakistan’s intervention.
Australia welcomed the agreement, terming it as an important step towards resolving the conflict. In a joint statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government supports efforts aimed at de-escalation and a negotiated settlement.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire arrangement, while noting that considerable work remains to secure a durable resolution. He said that, while the development was encouraging, further efforts in the coming days would be required to ensure a lasting ceasefire.
Malaysia also welcomed the cessation of hostilities between the United States and Iran. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim commended Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts and paid tribute to the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He termed Pakistan’s neutral diplomacy as exemplary, stating that its leadership had demonstrated both Muslim unity and a sense of global responsibility.
Malaysia announced its support for peace efforts, expressing hope for stability and security in the region and beyond. Anwar Ibrahim said that peace negotiations cannot succeed under double standards and called for the proposed ten-point plan to be developed into a comprehensive peace agreement. He urged an end to atrocities in Palestine, particularly in Gaza.
Egypt welcomed the United States’ decision to halt military operations, terming it a positive step towards reducing tensions in the region. In a statement, Cairo said the move marked an important development in efforts to restore calm, contain escalation, and preserve regional and international stability.
It emphasised the need to build on this step through full commitment to ending military operations and advancing diplomatic engagement and dialogue. Egypt also reaffirmed the importance of respect for international law and freedom of navigation, while underlining the need to safeguard the sovereignty and stability of Gulf states.
Indonesia welcomed the ceasefire in the Iran war and called on all parties to respect sovereignty, territorial integrity and diplomacy. Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang conveyed the country’s position on the ceasefire to the media on Wednesday.
Japan said that concrete steps are needed to de-escalate the crisis, including ensuring the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The world’s fourth-largest economy is the fifth biggest importer of oil, with around seventy per cent coming through the vital waterway before the war.
“The most important thing is that concrete steps will be taken to de-escalate the situation, including ensuring the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” Japanese government spokesman Minoru Kihara said.
“We hope the final agreement will be reached through diplomacy at an early date.”
Iraq’s foreign ministry said it welcomes the ceasefire but called for serious and sustainable dialogue between the US and Iran. The ministry calls for building upon this positive step by launching serious and sustainable dialogue tracks that address the root causes of the disputes and strengthen mutual trust, it said on X.
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world. Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday that Berlin welcomes the two-week ceasefire agreed between the United States and Iran, calling it an opportunity to pursue a lasting end to the conflict. “The aim now must be to negotiate a lasting end to the war in the coming days,” Merz said in a statement. “This can only be achieved through diplomatic channels.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the announcement of the ceasefire, according to his spokesman Stephane Dujarric. He called on all parties involved in the Middle East conflict to comply with their obligations under international law and adhere to the terms of the ceasefire in order to advance towards a lasting and comprehensive peace.
The statement followed an announcement by US President Donald Trump that military action against Iran would be suspended for a period of two weeks. The Secretary-General stressed that an immediate cessation of hostilities remains essential to protect civilian lives and ease human suffering amid the continuing crisis.
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