Trump says China pushed Iran to negotiate - AFP

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said posted on X on Tuesday that President Donald Trump and the US military had achieved and exceeded their core objectives in 38 days, describing the campaign as a “victory” that created leverage for negotiations and helped reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

"The success of our military created maximum leverage, allowing President Trump and the team to engage in tough negotiations that have now created an opening for a diplomatic solution and long-term peace. Additionally, President Trump got the Strait of Hormuz reopened," Levitt said.

Senator Lindsey Graham said on X on Tuesday that while he prefers diplomacy if it achieves the right outcome with Iran, he is cautious about distinguishing fact from fiction.

"At this early stage, I am extremely cautious regarding what is fact vs. fiction or misrepresentation. That’s why a congressional review process like the one the Senate followed to test the Obama Iranian deal is a sound way forward," Graham said.

"Fair and challenging questions with a full opportunity to explain, and a healthy dose of sunlight is generally the right formula to understand any matter," he added.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X on Tuesday that American journalist Shelly Kittleson, recently kidnapped by Kata’ib Hizballah near Baghdad, has been released.

Rubio thanked US agencies and Iraqi partners for their role in securing her freedom, emphasizing the Trump administration’s commitment to the safety of Americans abroad.

"This resolution reflects the Trump Administration's steadfast commitment to the safety and security of American citizens, no matter where they are in the world," Rubio said.

Conservative commentator Mark Levin said on Tuesday the two-week ceasefire is already being violated by the “Iranian-Nazi regime,” with missiles fired into Israel and possibly other countries.

"We have the right man as president, and I bet he's furious about this. I don't personally know. But this will be the question throughout -- that is, do we expect the Iranian regime to honor a deal, how will we monitor it, and how will we enforce it. These will all be very difficult issues to resolve," Levin posted on X.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday on X that Iran and the United States, along with their allies agreed to an immediate ceasefire worldwide, including in Lebanon, and invited delegations to Islamabad on April 10 to negotiate a conclusive agreement.

"I warmly welcome the sagacious gesture and extend deepest gratitude to the leadership of both the countries and invite their delegations to Islamabad on Friday, 10th April 2026, to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes," he posted on X.

"Both parties have displayed remarkable wisdom and understanding and have remained constructively engaged in furthering the cause of peace and stability. We earnestly hope, that the ‘Islamabad Talks’ succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in coming days!" the post added.

Apart from US officials involved in the talks — including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary Marco Rubio, and special envoy David Witkoff — Iranian officials mentioned in the post include President Mohammad Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Araghchi.