President Nechirvan Barzani welcomes US-Iran two-week ceasefire

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday welcomed the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, calling it a crucial step toward reducing tensions in the region.

“I welcome the ceasefire agreement between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran," President Barzani said in a statement on X, adding that the development marks "an important step toward de-escalation, the protection of civilians, and the restoration of constructive dialogue."

"We appreciate the efforts of all sides that contributed to facilitating this ceasefire.” 

President Barzani added: “I hope all parties will uphold this commitment in good faith and work toward a lasting peace that promotes stability, security, and prosperity throughout the entire region.”

For his part, president Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), expressed hope that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran "will bring lasting peace, security, and prosperity" to the region, saying, “Certainly, peace is always better than war."

The ceasefire was announced early Wednesday by US President Donald Trump, who said he had agreed to suspend military action against Iran for two weeks following mediation by Pakistan. “Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran… I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double-sided CEASEFIRE!” Trump said on his Truth Social account.

Trump said the pause would allow final negotiations on a 10-point proposal from Iran, which both sides considered a workable basis for an agreement. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed the ceasefire, with talks scheduled to begin in Islamabad on Friday.

The announcement came just over an hour before Trump’s previous ultimatum for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz expired, averting a potential escalation that he had described in stark terms.