On April 8 local time, on the first day of the U.S.-Iran temporary ceasefire taking effect, Israel launched its largest airstrike since the current conflict against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran stated that this violated the ceasefire agreement, closed the Strait of Hormuz again, and threatened to take deterrent action against Israeli military targets.

The White House announced on the 8th that the first round of U.S.-Iran talks would be held in Pakistan on the 11th. However, Iran stated that three key clauses among its ten ceasefire terms had been violated, and the "basis for negotiations" had been destroyed.

White House: First Round of U.S.-Iran Talks to be Held on the 11th

White House Press Secretary Levitt stated at a press conference on the 8th that President Trump had decided to send a high-level delegation to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, for a new round of face-to-face negotiations with Iran. The negotiation team will be led by U.S. Vice President Vance, and also includes Middle East Envoy Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Kushner. The first round of talks is expected to take place on the morning of the 11th local time.

Levitt also stated that Iran's initial 10-point proposal was unacceptable, but Iran subsequently put forward a more reasonable and concise plan. President Trump and his team believe that this revised new plan can serve as a basis for negotiations and can align with the U.S. 15-point plan.

Iran: Basis for Negotiations Has Been Destroyed

Speaker of the Iranian Islamic Consultative Assembly Qalibaf stated in a social media post on the 8th that three of the ten ceasefire terms proposed by Iran had already been violated, and the "viable basis for negotiations" had been blatantly destroyed before U.S.-Iran negotiations even began.

Qalibaf stated that the violated clauses included: ceasing the war on all fronts including Lebanon, the U.S. guaranteeing in principle not to violate Iran, and accepting Iran's uranium enrichment activities.

Qalibaf stated that Iran has always had deep distrust of the United States, stemming from the U.S. repeatedly breaking various forms of commitments, and regrettably, this situation is happening again. Qalibaf pointed out that the framework for negotiations had been blatantly violated before U.S.-Iran negotiations even began; under such circumstances, neither a ceasefire nor negotiations between the two sides make sense.

U.S. and Israel Say Lebanon Not Included in Ceasefire, Iran Says Lebanon Ceasefire Must Be Achieved Before Negotiations

The Israel Defense Forces released information on the afternoon of the 8th stating that the IDF had completed a large-scale wave of strikes against Lebanon, with 50 fighter jets dropping approximately 160 bombs on 100 targets within 10 minutes. The IDF stated that the large-scale attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon was not a "wrap-up operation" and that operations against the organization continued.

According to the Lebanese Civil Defense report, the large-scale airstrikes launched by Israel across various locations in Lebanon on that day had killed at least 254 people and injured 1,165.

The White House stated that the current U.S.-Iran ceasefire does not include Lebanon, and relevant parties will continue to discuss whether Lebanon might be included in a broader peace agreement in the future.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the ceasefire agreement "does not apply" to military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and that Israel "has more goals to achieve."

Strait of Hormuz Just Opened Then Closed Again, U.S. Says "Unconditional Opening" is Ceasefire Prerequisite

Multiple shipping agencies reported on the 8th that after the U.S. and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire, vessels had begun transiting the Strait of Hormuz. However, shortly after the Israeli attack on Lebanon, Iran halted oil tanker transits through the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Vice President Vance stated that day that if Iran fails to fulfill its commitment to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the ceasefire agreement would be terminated. Vance stated that if Iran violates the terms of the agreement, it will face "severe consequences."

White House Press Secretary Levitt also stated that Trump had previously made it very clear that the ceasefire agreement is conditional on the "unconditional opening" of the strait, and that this demand "should be taken literally," with the U.S. ensuring that all parties implement it.

According to a senior Iranian official, if the two sides can reach a consensus on the negotiation framework, the Strait of Hormuz may be opened in a limited, Iran-controlled manner, with all vessels required to accept mandatory coordination by the Iranian military.