People across the Middle East took to the streets early Wednesday morning to celebrate news of a truce between the US and Iran, following 40 days of war that reverberated across much of the region.
In Tehran, which endured sustained bombing throughout the conflict, residents stayed up to follow developments surrounding US President Donald Trump's 3am deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, before celebrating when news came roughly 90 minutes earlier that a truce had been agreed.
Hundreds gathered in Tehran’s Enqelab Square, waving Iranian flags and holding posters of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war on 28 February. Others were seen burning US and Israeli flags in scenes of jubilation, with many seeing Iran as victorious in the conflict.
Celebrations also spread to Iraq, which had been drawn into the conflict, after the pro-Iran Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced it would adhere to the two-week ceasefire.
Trump said late Tuesday that the US would suspend its bombing campaign for two weeks, conditional on Tehran reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as a "total and complete victory".
Asked whether Washington had achieved its objectives regarding Iran's uranium enrichment programme, Trump said it would be "dealt with very perfectly, otherwise I wouldn't have agreed".
Iranian officials likewise framed the ceasefire as a major victory. Tehran said Washington had accepted a series of demands, including a non-aggression pact, the lifting of sanctions, and the full withdrawal of US forces from the region.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz would remain open for two weeks, provided attacks on Iran cease. Reports have suggested Iran and Oman may introduce transit fees for ships during this period to support reconstruction efforts, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Israel’s military said on Wednesday morning it would halt strikes on Iran after completing a final wave of overnight attacks targeting what it described as regime assets. Officials brace for upcoming talks Diplomats are now bracing for upcoming talks , with both sides agreeing to begin negotiations in Pakistan on Friday.
The discussions are expected to last two weeks and focus on securing a lasting arrangement, including provisions for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz .
According to Iran’s state media IRNA , parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is expected to lead Tehran’s delegation, while US Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to represent Washington.
A report by Axios suggested that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei played an active role in negotiations leading up to the truce, despite earlier unconfirmed reports that he had been badly wounded in the strikes. It remains unclear whether he will participate in the upcoming talks.
US spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the White House was considering direct negotiations with Iran but stressed that no final decision had been made.
The Pentagon has scheduled a press conference for 8am ET (3pm in Tehran) with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Keane. Attacks on Gulf at dawn after truce announcement Despite the ceasefire announcement, attacks were reported across the Gulf in the early hours of Wednesday.
In the UAE, authorities said emergency teams were responding to a fire at the Habshan gas processing facility following an attack, which halted operations and left three people injured.
In Qatar, the defence ministry said it had intercepted a missile attack. Prior to the truce, four people, including a child, were injured when shrapnel struck a home in Muraikh after an interception.
Saudi Arabia also reported threats, with civil defence issuing five warnings about unspecified dangers in the capital Riyadh and several other regions.
Kuwait’s defence ministry said it had intercepted both missile and drone attacks, adding that explosions heard across the country were the result of air defence systems engaging incoming threats, without providing further details.
In Bahrain, two people were injured by falling debris, which authorities said came from a drone launched from Iran.