Celebration in Tehran, March 9, 2026, following the election of Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei
as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran - Photo: Press TV

It is reported that Iran's speaker of parliament Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf will join Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in leading talks in Islamabad, Pakistani officials told Reuters on Thursday. Pakistan had previously urged the United States not to target either official and to allow negotiations to proceed. Referring to the unconscionable Israeli bombing of Lebanon, Ghalibaf on Thursday reiterated that "Lebanon and the entire Resistance Axis, as Iran's allies, form an inseparable part of the ceasefire". He added, "Ceasefire violations carry explicit costs and strong responses. Extinguish the fire immediately."

Mass rally in Baghdad opposing US/Israeli aggression against Iran, April 4, 2026

Iranian officials and military leadership issued co-ordinated warnings over Lebanon, praising resistance operations and signalling escalation if Israeli attacks continue despite the ceasefire framework. Iranian officials continue to stress that Lebanon is an integral part of ceasefire terms. Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that any ceasefire agreement must include Lebanon, framing ongoing Israeli strikes there as violations of the deal.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be possible during the ceasefire period only if the other side complies with its commitments, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

For his part, Iran's president Masoud Pezeshkian said on X: "The repeated aggression by the Zionist entity against Lebanon is a flagrant violation of the initial ceasefire agreement and a dangerous indicator of deceit and lack of commitment to potential accords. The continuation of these aggressions will render negotiations meaningless; our hands will remain on the trigger, and Iran will never abandon its Lebanese brothers and sisters."

Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh also confirmed that Iran's participation in Islamabad talks remains conditional on halting Israeli aggression against Lebanon, noting that "any peace in the region must include Lebanon".

Israeli attacks across Lebanon have intensified dramatically. According to the Lebanese Civil Defence, at least 254 people were killed and 1,165 wounded in a single day, following approximately 150 airstrikes within two hours targeting Beirut, its southern suburbs, southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Mount Lebanon. Iranian officials described these attacks as massacres and a clear violation of the ceasefire framework announced following US-Iran understandings.

Russia and China on Tuesday had vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution concerning the Strait of Hormuz, blocking a Bahrain-backed proposal. This was a blatantly unjust resolution presented by Bahrain and engineered by the US - which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council - and its allies to attack Iran. Among other things, the resolution turns reality on its head, claiming that the victim, Iran, is the aggressor. It then illegitimately lays claim to "the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence in response to the deplorable armed attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran, as recognised by Article 51 of the United Nations Charter".

Protest against US Air Force using RAF Fairford to bomb Iran, March 7

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, had strongly rejected the draft, describing it as fundamentally flawed and politically motivated. He said that the resolution "unjustifiably and misleadingly portrays Iran's lawful measures... as threats to international peace and security," according to reporting by The Washington Post.

Iravani emphasised that Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz fall under its "inherent right of self-defence in accordance with the UN Charter", rejecting claims that Tehran is responsible for destabilising maritime security. He also criticised the framing of the resolution, arguing that it ignored the broader context of the conflict, including recent military actions targeting Iran. In fact, Iran is selectively preventing passage of ships of the aggressors that are illegally bombing it, through a waterway for which it is responsible. For this it is "condemned" by the masters of deception and hypocrisy who have no legal or moral authority to tell anyone what they can or cannot do.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, for his part, has on multiple occasions since late March and early April, spuriously insisted that Britain will not be drawn into the escalating US confrontation with Iran. His most widely cited formulation - "this is not our war" - is characteristic of Starmer's repeated effort to frame Britain as politically and militarily separate from the conflict. Yet this position sits alongside confirmed reports that the United States has been granted access to British-controlled military facilities, including RAF Fairford, Lakenheath and Diego Garcia, bases which form part of the operational infrastructure supporting US military activity.

Not only that, Starmer has maintained his cowardly silence in the face of the US/Israeli terrorist assassinations of Iran's political and military leaders, and the destruction of its civilian infrastructure and energy supplies. It underlines his utter moral bankruptcy. Starmer refuses to recognise that Iran has been acting in self-defence, a self-defence which has proved so effective.

The US imperialists in their desperation are openly practising extreme violence on a world scale yet they are sure to fail at placing the peoples of the world and their resources under their control. The peoples of the world, particularly the Muslim community, have a humanity, morality and integrity which makes this impossible. Iran and its people are showing the way. The world stands with the resistance and with the peoples of Iran, of Lebanon and of Palestine.

Section of the blockade of Lakenheath, April 7 - Photo: Lakenheath Alliance for Peace

On Saturday, April 4, hundreds of anti-war activists shut down for three hours the main gates of the US Air Force base at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, from where US planes fly in the US/Israeli war against Iran. Two people were arrested in this just action against the use of the British base for the aggression against and the bombing of Iran. On Sunday, Lakenheath Alliance for Peace (LAP) said in supporting the Palestinian people against the genocide: "Seven arrests were made during Lakenheath peace camp when a group of protesters stood wearing tabards saying, 'We oppose genocide. We support Palestine Action.'" [1] On Tuesday, April 7, anti-war protesters locked themselves onto a car to block the main entrance gates to the US war base for six hours as well as a second gate for four hours with 13 people being arrested by the British police and "taken away for questioning". This heroic action was during the week-long International Peace Camp 2026 at the US Air Force base RAF Lakenheath. The camp and LAP stand with Iran, Lebanon and with Palestine against Britain's support for the US/Israeli illegal wars and genocide.

Signalling the start of the peace camp, LAP handed in a letter at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk [2]. The letter, to the UK and US base commanders, highlights war crimes supported by RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall. It details their disregard of international law and concerns about British control of the bases. Although the US Air Force uses the bases, they are British sovereign territory and the UK is legally liable. The letter states, "This has now led to a position where these UK bases are being used in what the UN Secretary General and even the UK Government have claimed is against International Law." This is a war crime against Iran and the people of West Asia. The letter continues, addressing the base commanders, saying that "as you are aware well over 100 fighter/bombers including F-35As, F-15Es and F-22s have been deployed from RAF Lakenheath for the attack on Iran along with numerous C-17s. RAF Mildenhall has also been actively involved in the illegal war of aggression by providing refuelling for bombers deploying to the Middle East and also for those launching direct attacks on Iran from other RAF bases i.e. Fairford." The protesters also highlighted their condemnation and concern over the report that a US fighter jet shot down over Iran on April 3 had taken off from RAF Lakenheath. An Iranian news agency reported that markings on the F-15E's tail identified it as belonging to the 48th Fighter Wing of US European Command, based at RAF Lakenheath.

The letter also condemned the deployment of US nuclear weapons at this US war base, stating that the "United States has already deployed, or is preparing to site, B61-12 nuclear weapons at 'RAF' Lakenheath". The letter concludes by "demanding immediate steps to bring all illegal activities at these bases to an end and to return any nuclear bombs that may already be at RAF Lakenheath to the USA. It is the democratic right of citizens of the UK to know what is happening on our land and in our skies. Our current Easter 2026 International Peace Camp is part of the right of all UK citizens and their supporters to protest lawfully against the genocide and other war crimes taking place through RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall. The fact that you refuse the delivery of this letter to take place, even through the good offices of the Suffolk police, indicates a refusal to take any heed of the warnings we are providing of future court proceedings against you."

Workers' Weekly expresses its support for the stand of the International Peace Camp 2026 and the Lakenheath Alliance of Peace alongside the more than 30 anti-war and peace organisations that supported this stand. Actions against the US/Israeli war of aggression against Iran and Lebanon and opposing Britain's complicity and involvement in the US/Israeli genocide in Palestine must continue.

Notes
1. Lakenheath Alliance For Peace
https://lakenheathallianceforpeace.org.uk/
2. Letter to USAF and RAF Commanders at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, Lakenheath Alliance for Peace, March 30, 2026
https://lakenheathallianceforpeace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Letter-To-Commanders-30-March-2026.pdf

April 8, 2026

For the 38th consecutive night the Iranian people gathered in Tabriz among other cities, April 8, 2026, in defence of their homeland - Photo: Fars News

Early on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran issued a statement on the two-week ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump, following mediation efforts led by Pakistan. Talks are expected to begin on April 10. According to Middle East Eye (MEE), the talks will focus on key issues including maritime transit, sanctions relief and the presence of US forces in the region. The outcome remains uncertain, with the ceasefire seen as a temporary de-escalation rather than a lasting settlement. Trump was forced to offer the ceasefire once the crushing defeats suffered by the US/Israeli aggressor forces became evident to the entire world.

The text of the statement issued by Iran's National Security Council follows in full:

The enemy, in its cowardly, illegal, and criminal war against the Iranian nation, has suffered an undeniable, historical, and crushing defeat. By the grace of the pure and holy blood of the Martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Imam Khamenei (Peace be upon him), the prudent measures of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution and Commander-in-Chief, His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei (May God protect him), and the struggle and bravery of the warriors of Islam on the fronts - especially the historical, lasting, and heroic presence of you, the dear nation, on the scene since the very first days of the war - Iran has achieved a massive victory and forced criminal America to accept its 10-point plan.

In this plan, America is fundamentally committed to guaranteeing non-aggression, the continuation of Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, the acceptance of enrichment, the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions, the termination of all resolutions of the Security Council and the Board of Governors, the payment of Iran's damages, the withdrawal of US combat forces from the region, and the cessation of war on all fronts, including against the heroic Islamic Resistance of Lebanon.

We congratulate all the people of Iran on this victory and emphasise that until the details of this victory are finalised, there remains a need for the steadfastness and prudence of officials and the maintenance of unity and solidarity among the Iranian people.

Islamic Iran, along with the brave mujahideen of the Resistance in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and occupied Palestine, has dealt blows to the enemy over the past 40 days that the global historical memory will never forget. Iran and the Axis of Resistance, as representatives of honour and humanity against the most savage enemies of humankind, have given them an unforgettable lesson after a historical battle.

They have so crushed their forces, facilities, infrastructure, and all their political, economic, technological, and military assets that the enemy is now plunged into collapse and desperation, seeing no path before it other than surrender to the will of the great nation of Iran and the honourable Axis of Resistance.

On the first day, when the criminal enemies of Iran began this oppressive war, they imagined they would succeed in complete military dominance over Iran in a short time and force Iran to surrender by creating political and social instability. They thought Iran's missile and drone fire would be quickly extinguished and did not believe that Iran could deliver such a powerful response beyond its borders and across the entire region.

Global evil Zionism had convinced the ignorant President of America that this war would finish Iran, allowing them - after removing this last bastion of humanity and humankind - to comfortably commit any crime against anyone they wished from then on. They dreamed of partitioning dear Iran, plundering its oil and wealth, and ultimately leaving Iranians immersed in chaos, instability, and insecurity for many long years.

The brave warriors of Islam and their courageous allies in the Axis of Resistance, despite their hearts being wounded and torn by the martyrdom of their Imam, decided - relying on Almighty God and following the Lord and Master of Martyrs - to give these enemies a historical lesson once and for all. They chose to take revenge for all previous crimes and create conditions where the enemy would forever cast away the thought of aggression against dear Iran, fully tasting the flavour of humiliation and abasement before the great nation of Iran.

With this strategy and relying on the unprecedented political and social unity established within the country, Iran and the Resistance initiated one of the heaviest hybrid battles in history against America and the Zionist regime, achieving all the objectives designed for this conflict during this period.

Iran and the Resistance almost completely destroyed the American military machine in the region; they dealt crushing and profound blows to the vast infrastructure and facilities that the enemy had built and stationed around the region over the years for this war against Iran. In regional dimensions, they imposed extensive casualties on the criminal American army, and within the occupied territories, they delivered heavy and shattering blows to the enemy's forces, infrastructure, facilities, and assets.

They so constrained the field on all fronts that not only were none of the enemy's main objectives realised, but the enemy realised approximately 10 days after the start of the war that it would in no way have the capability to win this war. For this reason, it began attempting to establish contact with Iran and requesting a ceasefire through various channels and methods.

The honourable nation of Iran must know that, by the grace of their children's struggle and their historic presence on the scene, the enemy has been pleading for over a month for the cessation of the fierce fire of Iran and the Resistance. However, the country's officials - because it had been decided from the very beginning that the war would continue until objectives were achieved, including the enemy's regret and desperation and the removal of long-term threats from the country - gave a negative response to all these requests, and the war continued until today, which is the fortieth day.

Furthermore, Iran has so far rejected several deadlines presented by the President of the United States and continues to emphasise that it grants no importance to any type of deadline from the enemy.

We now give tidings to the great nation of Iran that almost all war objectives have been realised and your brave children have driven the enemy to a historic helplessness and a lasting defeat. Iran's historic decision, backed by the unified support of the entire nation, is to continue this battle for as long as necessary until its massive achievements are consolidated and new security and political equations are created in the region based on the acceptance of the power and sovereignty of Iran and the Resistance.

In this regard, and according to the prudence of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei (May God protect him), and the approval of the Supreme National Security Council - and considering Iran and the Resistance's upper hand in the battlefield, the enemy's inability to carry out its threats despite all claims, and the formal acceptance of all the rightful demands of the Iranian people - it was decided that negotiations be held in Islamabad to finalise the details. This is so that within a maximum of 15 days, with the finalisation of details, Iran's victory on the field shall also be consolidated in political negotiations.

To this end, while rejecting all plans presented by the enemy, Iran drafted a 10-point plan and presented it to the American side via the country of Pakistan. It emphasised fundamental points such as controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with Iran's armed forces (which grants Iran a unique economic and geopolitical position), the necessity of ending the war against all components of the Axis of Resistance (which signifies a historic defeat for the aggression of the child-killing Israeli regime), the withdrawal of US combat forces from all bases and deployment points in the region, the establishment of a secure transit protocol in the Strait of Hormuz such that it guarantees Iranian dominance according to the agreed protocol, the full payment of Iran's damages according to estimates, the removal of all primary and secondary sanctions and resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council, the release of all blocked Iranian properties and assets abroad, and finally, the approval of all these items in a binding Security Council resolution. It is worth noting that the approval of this resolution will turn all these agreements into binding international law and will create an important diplomatic victory for the nation of Iran.

Now, the honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan has informed Iran that the American side, despite all outward threats, has accepted these principles as the basis for negotiations and has surrendered to the will of the Iranian nation. Accordingly, at the highest level, it has been decided that Iran will engage in negotiations in Islamabad with the American side for a period of two weeks, based solely on these principles. It is emphasised that this does not mean the end of the war; Iran will only accept the termination of the war once the details - given the acceptance of Iran's preferred principles in the 10-point plan - are finalised in the negotiations.

These negotiations will begin in Islamabad on Friday, April 10 (21 Farvardin), with complete distrust of the American side, and Iran will allocate two weeks for these talks. This timeframe is extendable by mutual agreement. It is essential that during this period, complete national unity be maintained and victory celebrations continue with strength.

The current negotiations are national negotiations and a continuation of the battlefield; it is necessary for all people, elites, and political groups to trust and support this process, which is under the supervision of the Leader of the Revolution and the highest levels of the system, and to strictly avoid any divisive comments.

If the enemy's surrender on the battlefield is transformed into a decisive political achievement in the negotiations, we will celebrate this massive historical victory together; otherwise, we will fight side-by-side on the battlefield until all the demands of the Iranian nation are met. Our hands are on the trigger, and the moment the slightest error is committed by the enemy, it will be responded to with full power.