Trump Agrees to Two-Week Cease-Fire with Iran
On Tuesday night, President Trump reached an agreement for a two-week cease-fire with Iran, which halted a planned U.S. military strike after intensive diplomatic discussions led to a breakthrough regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
This arrangement, facilitated by Pakistan and ongoing negotiations, requires Iran to commit to fully reopening this critical waterway, during which both parties will refrain from hostilities as they aim to finalize a larger agreement.
In a social media post shortly before the deadline, Trump explained that he was calling off the attack based on conversations with Pakistani leaders. He stated, “Based on my discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, I agree to a two-week halt on bombing and attacks on Iran, contingent upon their full, immediate, and safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.” He emphasized that this ceasefire is mutual.
Trump also mentioned that the U.S. military has met its objectives and that negotiations for a more permanent deal are progressing well, with Iran’s “10-point proposal” seen as a strong foundation for a final agreement.
Israel has also opted into the temporary cease-fire, pausing its airstrikes while discussions continue, as reported by a senior White House official.
This shift marks a significant departure from earlier tensions when Trump warned of dire consequences for Iran, threatening to destroy critical infrastructure if demands weren’t met.
Prime Minister Sharif of Pakistan, acting as an intermediary, had earlier encouraged Trump to extend the deadline for negotiations and urged Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as a sign of goodwill.
As talks intensified, U.S. and Iranian officials communicated through intermediaries like Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, with reports indicating that Iran was “positively considering” Pakistan’s proposal, even though some key issues remain unresolved.
The White House confirmed that Trump was aware of this proposal and would respond, according to press secretary Caroline Leavitt.
In a brief call with reporters, Trump refrained from discussing the next steps, simply stating, “We’re in intense negotiations right now, so I can’t say anything.” However, he described Sharif as a respected figure.
Trump criticized Iran for mobilizing civilians around infrastructure, labeling these actions as “totally illegal.” Meanwhile, negotiations have ramped up in recent hours, with Pakistan playing a central role in facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
Additionally, reports suggest that Iran’s leadership has endorsed the ceasefire framework, but the specifics of their commitments remain murky as talks proceed.
With the immediate threat of U.S. military action now diminished, the focus has shifted back to diplomatic discussions, as both sides face mounting pressure to turn this temporary ceasefire into a permanent resolution.
