Apr 9, 2026, 12:27 p.mApr 9, 2026, 12:38 p.m
“It is with the utmost humility that I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, together with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including in Lebanon and elsewhere, which will come into force IMMEDIATELY.”
With these words from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the war between the US, Israel and Iran entered a two-week ceasefire. A lot has happened since then. However, there can be no talk of peace for the entire region.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
- In a public statement, Donald Trump announced the ceasefire between the USA and Iran. Iran is following suit. Oil prices (WTI) fell by 15 percent to $91.44. This is the biggest price drop since the Gulf War in 1991.
- Shortly after the US President’s statement, Israel reported various rocket attacks on Jerusalem and other areas in the country. In the village of Tel Sheva, two 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old boy were injured.
- Three hours after Iran, Israel makes an official statement. The country supports the ceasefire. At the same time, it contradicts Pakistani President Sharif’s formulation: the ceasefire does not include the war against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
- Hours after the ceasefire, Iran is bombed. A refinery on the island of Lavan is hit in an “enemy attack”. The United Arab Emirates is suspected to be behind the attack.
- Now the United Arab Emirates are also reporting air defense activity and clarifying their information two hours later. 17 Iranian missiles and 35 drones entered UAE airspace. Three people were slightly injured. At 7:00 a.m. (Switzerland) Kuwait reports Iranian drone attacks on oil storage facilities and power plants. Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia also announced that they had been attacked with ballistic missiles or drones from Iran. Iran explains the attacks as “pre-programmed attacks”. The waves of attacks were not an intentional violation of the ceasefire.
- US President Donald Trump announces a “great day for peace on earth” and offers Iran help with reconstruction. Vice President Vance calls the ceasefire “fragile.” A distinction must be made between those who want a deal – and those who are “lying about the ceasefire”.
- Citing three Lebanese sources, the Reuters news agency reports that the terrorist organization Hezbollah stopped its attacks on northern Israel and Israeli troops in Lebanon in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
- Israel issues an evacuation warning for a city in southern Lebanon and then carries out the largest bombings since the beginning of the Iran crisis in “Operation Darkness”. Within 10 minutes, 50 fighter planes dropped 160 bombs on over 100 targets. Areas hit are southern Lebanon, the Beqaa Valley and Beirut. According to The Times of Israel, the bombing of Beirut came without warning in certain places and primarily hit facilities in the middle of the civilian population. According to the Israeli military, these would serve “as part of Hezbollah’s cynical exploitation of Lebanese civilians as human shields to secure their operations.” Depending on the source, 250 to 300 people are killed in the attacks.
- Now US President Trump also contradicts Shehbaz Sharif’s formulation and declares that Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire. This is a “separate dispute”.
- Iran is “closing” the Strait of Hormuz again with threats to sink ships in the strait. It is unclear how many ships have passed through so far. The range ranges from just two to 20 ships.
Scenes from Beirut. Excavators clear away the remains of a destroyed building in Lebanon’s capital.Image: keystone
Thursday, April 9, 2026
- Oil prices (WTI) are rising again to just under $98 (as of 11:16 a.m.). The euphoria on the stock markets has evaporated again.
- Donald Trump is threatening 50 percent tariffs on all countries that supply Iran with weapons.
- War Minister Hegseth calls on Iran to hand over the enriched uranium to the USA and declares that it will “take it if necessary”.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in favor of Lebanon being included in the ceasefire. He is joined by various other heads of state.
- The speaker of the Iranian parliament accuses the USA of breaking the ceasefire on three points and threatens to collapse the announced peace negotiations in Islamabad on Friday if Lebanon is not included in the ceasefire.
A man sits next to a destroyed building in Beirut.Image: keystone
NATO chief Rutte bows to Trump on CNN
Video: watson/Lucas Zollinger