Ceasefire in Iran: Make This a Step toward Completely Ending Strikes

Editorial

15:51 JST, April 9, 2026

A large-scale attack on Iran, which the United States had announced, was halted at the last minute. While the world nervously watched the situation unfold, it can be welcomed that the worst-case scenario was averted for now.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the United States agreed to stop attacking Iran for two weeks on the condition that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said that Iran would halt its “defensive operations” if attacks on the country ceased.

Following the announcement of the agreement between the United States and Iran, crude oil prices fell sharply and stock prices jumped. This shows how much the international community wants an end to the military actions that have caused confusion in the global economy.

The two sides are scheduled to begin negotiations in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, which mediated the ceasefire, on Friday to end military actions. The United States began attacking Iran in February while engaged in talks with Tehran. Both parties should observe the ceasefire this time and try to resolve the situation through negotiations.

The United States must also urge Israel, which has attacked Iran alongside the United States, to refrain from provocative acts.

Trump said that Iran would be sent “back to the Stone Ages” without bridges and electricity if Tehran failed to open the Strait of Hormuz by the deadline he set. He indicated that he was preparing a large-scale attack.

However, the Geneva Conventions stipulate that civilian facilities such as power plants shall not be targets of attack. It is natural that the president of the European Commission and others criticized Trump’s remark as being unacceptable and violating international law.

If Trump were to launch a large-scale attack and commit a war crime, it would be an irrevocable stain not only on his personal reputation but also on the history of the United States. By calling off the attack, the United States managed to avoid completely losing its authority.

At the talks, discussion is expected to focus on topics such as ensuring safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which has effectively been closed by Iran, and how to manage Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. However, there are huge gaps between the two sides’ positions.

Concerning the strait, Iran said that safe navigation will be possible in coordination with its military during the talks with the United States. However, freedom of navigation is a principle secured by international law.

It is absolutely unacceptable to treat an international strait as its own property, unilaterally judge which vessels can pass through the strait and demand payment.

The conflicts concerning Iran have driven up crude oil prices and exposed the vulnerability of the global energy supply chain. Japan should seize this opportunity to develop various measures, such as expanding its energy suppliers to sources outside the Middle East.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 9, 2026)