Why ceasefire deal with US has unsettled Iran's hardliners

April 8, 2026

Iran has agreed to a two-week ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz despite earlier vows to reject any temporary halt to hostilities with the US and Israel. The decision, reached through Pakistani mediation with Chinese support, has angered Iranian hardliners who believed the country held military advantages and should continue fighting. Iran's Supreme National Security Council, led by moderate President Masoud Pezeshkian, framed the agreement as a victory while the country faces over 3,000 deaths and significant infrastructure damage from 40 days of conflict.

Who is affected

Mojtaba Khamenei (new Supreme Leader)
Iranian hardliners and Basij volunteer militia members
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
President Masoud Pezeshkian (heads Supreme National Security Council)
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan's army chief (mediators)
More than 3,000 Iranians killed in the war
Editor of Kayhan newspaper
Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei
Former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif
Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
US President Donald Trump
US Vice President JD Vance
Iranian citizens experiencing the war's death and destruction

What action is being taken

Pakistan is mediating between the US and Iran
The Supreme National Security Council is allowing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks
Washington and Tehran are engaging in talks
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is leading the Iranian delegation in talks with the US in Islamabad
Ghalibaf is directly negotiating with US Vice President JD Vance

Why it matters

This ceasefire represents a major shift in Iran's strategy and internal power dynamics. The willingness to accept a temporary ceasefire contradicts Iran's previous hardline stance demanding permanent peace, while the approval of direct US negotiations breaks a longstanding taboo established by the former Supreme Leader. With over 3,000 dead and critical infrastructure destroyed, the agreement reflects Iran's recognition that continued conflict could lead to catastrophic consequences, despite hardliner claims of military advantage. The direct involvement of Pakistan and China as mediators also signals a regional diplomatic realignment, and the outcome of these negotiations could determine whether Iran faces further destruction or achieves a pathway toward stability.

What's next

Two-week ceasefire period with safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz
Iranian delegation led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will hold talks with US Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad
The war could resume if the talks break down

Read full article from source: BBC