{
    "title": "\u2018A step back from the brink\u2019: EU welcomes US-Iran ceasefire",
    "modified_at": "2026-04-08 08:53:10",
    "published_at": "2026-04-08 08:53:00",
    "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/a-step-back-from-the-brink-eu-welcomes-us-iran-ceasefire",
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    "body": "<p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>The agreement of a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States is &ldquo;a step back from the brink after weeks of escalation&rdquo;, the EU&rsquo;s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, says.</strong></p><p style=\"text-align: left\">The ceasefire &ldquo;creates a much-needed chance to tone down threats, stop missiles, restart shipping, and create space for diplomacy towards a lasting agreement&rdquo;, she said in a post on X on Wednesday morning. </p><p style=\"text-align: left\">European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also welcomed the announcement, describing it as bringing &ldquo;much-needed de-escalation&rdquo;. &ldquo;Now it is crucial that negotiations for an enduring solution to this conflict continue,&rdquo; she posted on X. &ldquo;We will continue coordinating with our partners to this end.</p><div class=\"release-content-embed release-content-embed--rich release-content-embed--contained\" id=\"embed-b8b28535-19df-40c5-bf44-193ef0412f0b\"><div style=\"max-width: 550px;\"><div style=\"left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\"><iframe data-iframely-url=\"https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?app=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Feucopresident%2Fstatus%2F2041784093843521606%3Fs%3D20%23_cb1775634491&key=8fe6cdec03482ac31f27a6ae8ea2fb3f\" style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;\" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div><script async src=\"https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script></div><p style=\"text-align: left\">Kallas also said she had spoken to the Pakistani Foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, and thanked him for his work in brokering the agreement. &ldquo;The door to mediation must remain open, as the underlying causes of the war remain unresolved,&rdquo; she added.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Kallas is due to travel to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and Thursday, where she will meet the minister of Foreign Affairs and the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Belgium&rsquo;s Foreign minister, Maxime Pr&eacute;vot, is also due to visit the Middle East this week.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&nbsp;</p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><sup>Iranians rally in Tehran 40 days after a deadly strike on a school in the southern city of Minab &copy; 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This...            </div>\n        \n        <a href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/\"\n           target=\"_blank\"\n           rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"\n           class=\"release-content-bookmark__provider\"\n        >\n            <img class=\"release-content-bookmark__provider-icon\" src=\"https://avatars.prezly.com/favicon?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.belganewsagency.eu%2Firan-un-welcomes-ceasefire-and-calls-on-all-parties-to-comply&newsroom=6b71e247-a9ba-4732-aaa3-88be14c119db\" aria-hidden=\"true\" />\n            belganewsagency.eu        </a>\n    </div>\n</div>\n",
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            "description": "US-Iran ceasefire: Markets surge as oil and gas prices fall",
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            "description": "Iran: UN welcomes ceasefire and calls on all parties to comply",
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