US-Iran: World leaders welcome two-week ceasefire

Leaders from across the world, including Australia, Germany, Britain, New Zealand and Malaysia, on Wednesday welcomed a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the US-Iran two-week ceasefire, his spokesperson said, while urging all parties to work toward long-term peace in the region.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong in a joint statement welcomed the truce to negotiate a resolution to the conflict in West Asia.
“Australia welcomes the agreement by the United States, Israel and Iran to a two-week ceasefire to negotiate a resolution to the conflict in the Middle East,” the statement said.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world.
Welcoming the ceasefire, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, “The aim now is to negotiate a lasting end to the war. We are in close coordination with our partners on this matter.”
New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs Winston Peters also welcomed the announcements by the US and Iran. “While this is encouraging news, there remains significant important work to be done in the coming days to secure a lasting ceasefire,” he said in a social media post.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also welcomed the ceasefire and called for lasting peace in the region. “Malaysia urges all parties to fully respect and implement all terms of the ceasefire in good faith to prevent any return to hostilities,” Ibrahim said.
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the “achievement of an agreement on a full ceasefire and truce in the Middle East”.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said the US–Iran agreement is a “step back from the brink after weeks of escalation”.
President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen said, “It brings much-needed de-escalation. I thank Pakistan for its mediation. Now it is crucial that negotiations for an enduring solution to this conflict continue.”
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria M Stenergard also lauded Pakistan among others for mediating peace between the US and Iran.