8th April 2026 – (Tehran) A proposed ceasefire initiative associated with U.S. President Donald Trump has been met with caution in Tehran, amid deep‑seated mistrust of Washington, while in Israel opposition figures have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of political failure.
Reporting from Tehran, correspondent Ali Hashem said scepticism towards the United States runs not only through Iran’s leadership but also among the wider public. He noted that in previous rounds of negotiations between the two countries, hostilities had resumed either during or shortly after talks.
As a result, the latest ceasefire has been received warily. Observers in Iran point out that a ceasefire, by definition, is temporary and subject to conditions and deadlines. Many therefore remain cautious about its durability and long‑term implications.
Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to Beijing, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, expressed hope that China could act as one of the guarantors of regional stability. Speaking at a press conference in the Chinese capital on Wednesday, he said Tehran hoped that major powers, including China and Russia, alongside the UN Security Council and mediating countries such as Pakistan and Turkey, would help ensure that the United States does not resume military action.
In Israel, the ceasefire announcement prompted sharp criticism from opposition leader Yair Lapid. Writing on social media platform X, he claimed that Mr Netanyahu had “failed politically”, arguing that Israel had not been involved in key decisions affecting its national security.
Mr Lapid said that while the military had fulfilled its duties and the public had shown resilience, the government had fallen short of its stated strategic objectives. He further contended that repairing what he described as political and strategic damage would take years.