Khartoum, Sudan – Sudan on Wednesday joined a growing list of nations welcoming the newly announced two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, describing the development as “a positive step toward de-escalation” and a boost for diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Middle East.
In an official statement, Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council expressed measured optimism about the truce. “This step represents a positive move toward de-escalation and supporting diplomacy to achieve peace and stability in the region,” the council said, according to local media reports. The statement underscored Sudan’s support for dialogue as the preferred path to resolving longstanding tensions that have threatened global energy security and regional stability.
The Sudanese position comes a day after US President Donald Trump announced the temporary ceasefire, stating that Iran had presented a “workable” 10-point proposal for negotiations. Trump made the announcement less than two hours before a self-imposed deadline expired, during which he had warned Tehran of severe consequences — including what he dramatically described as “the destruction of an entire civilization” — if it failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept key terms.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country played a crucial mediating role between Washington and Tehran, welcomed the agreement and clarified that it provides for an “immediate ceasefire everywhere,” explicitly including Lebanon. This assertion contrasts with comments from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who backed Trump’s decision but insisted that the ceasefire “does not include Lebanon,” where Israeli forces remain engaged against Hezbollah.
The divergence in interpretations of the ceasefire’s scope highlights the fragile and complex nature of the agreement. While the US and Iran appear to have found temporary common ground through backchannel diplomacy, key regional players continue to interpret the terms according to their own strategic interests.
According to details emerging from Iranian sources, the 10-point proposal delivered to the United States via Pakistani mediation includes several significant concessions and demands. Among the key elements are a US commitment to non-aggression against Iran, continued Iranian control and oversight of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, acceptance of Iran’s right to uranium enrichment, and the complete lifting of all primary and secondary US sanctions.
The proposal also reportedly calls for compensation payments to Iran for damages suffered during recent tensions, the withdrawal of US combat forces from the broader region, and an end to hostilities on all fronts — including the ongoing conflict involving Hezbollah in Lebanon. These far-reaching demands suggest that Iran is using the ceasefire window to push for a comprehensive reset of its relationship with the West.
Sudan’s endorsement of the ceasefire reflects its own delicate geopolitical balancing act. As a country still navigating a brutal internal conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, Khartoum has strong interests in broader regional stability. Reduced tensions in the Gulf could open avenues for economic support, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic leverage that Sudan desperately needs as it seeks to end its civil war.
Foreign policy analysts note that Sudan’s statement aligns with its recent efforts to reposition itself on the international stage. After years of isolation under previous regimes, the Transitional Sovereignty Council has been actively courting partnerships with both Western powers and regional actors, including Iran and Gulf states.
“This ceasefire, though temporary, gives breathing room for serious negotiations,” said Dr. Amina Khalid, a Sudanese international relations expert. “For Sudan, any reduction in Middle East volatility is welcome because it reduces the risk of proxy influences in our own conflict and creates space for reconstruction and development.”
The two-week ceasefire period is expected to be used for intensive diplomatic engagements. Pakistan, which has maintained strong ties with both Washington and Tehran, is likely to continue playing a pivotal mediating role. European nations and China have also signaled willingness to support efforts aimed at transforming the temporary truce into a more durable agreement.
However, significant challenges remain. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid sharply criticised Netanyahu on Wednesday for supporting the ceasefire, calling it a “political and strategic failure” that sidelined Israel on issues central to its national security. Lapid argued that the government failed to achieve its objectives despite strong performance by the Israeli military and public resilience.
The exclusion of Lebanon from the Israeli interpretation of the ceasefire also raises questions about its practical implementation. Hezbollah, heavily backed by Iran, has been a central actor in recent escalations, and any lasting deal would likely need to address the Israel-Hezbollah front comprehensively.
Global markets reacted positively to the ceasefire news, with oil prices easing slightly amid reduced fears of immediate disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Energy analysts caution, however, that the two-week window is short, and failure to reach a broader understanding could trigger renewed volatility.
For the United States, the ceasefire represents a tactical pause after weeks of heightened military posturing. President Trump has framed the development as a success of his administration’s firm but pragmatic approach. Iran, on the other hand, appears to view the proposal as an opportunity to secure long-sought sanctions relief and recognition of its regional influence.
Sudan’s welcoming statement adds an important African voice to the chorus of regional reactions that also includes Iraq’s earlier endorsement on Tuesday. Both countries, as significant players in the wider Islamic and Arab world, carry weight in shaping perceptions of the truce’s legitimacy.
As the two-week period begins, attention will focus on whether all parties can exercise restraint and engage constructively. The coming days are expected to see further statements from major stakeholders, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, whose positions will be critical to any long-term success.
Sudan, for its part, has reiterated its readiness to support diplomatic initiatives that promote peace. The Transitional Sovereignty Council’s measured but positive response reflects a broader desire across conflict-affected nations for reduced external tensions that often exacerbate internal crises.
While cautious optimism prevails in Khartoum and other capitals, seasoned diplomats warn against premature celebration. The 10-point proposal contains ambitious elements that will require considerable political will on all sides to implement. Nevertheless, the very fact that a ceasefire has been announced after weeks of dangerous escalation is being viewed by many as a small but meaningful victory for diplomacy over confrontation.
The coming fortnight will test whether this temporary halt in hostilities can serve as the foundation for something more enduring, or whether deeply entrenched differences will once again push the region toward conflict. For Sudan and millions of others across the Middle East and beyond, the stakes could not be higher.
