Washington: In a dramatic de-escalation amid weeks of escalating conflict, Iran has accepted a conditional two-week ceasefire with the United States, hinging on the immediate halt of American attacks and the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.
The agreement, announced by President Donald Trump on Truth Social and quickly confirmed by Iranian officials, marks a temporary pause in hostilities that had threatened to engulf the region in wider war. Trump described the deal as a “double-sided” ceasefire, stating he agreed to suspend bombing and attacks on Iran for two weeks, subject to the “COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING” of the vital waterway.
Trump said the United States would use the two-week window to work towards a final agreement with Iran. “The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East,” he wrote.
The breakthrough came hours before Trump’s self-imposed deadline for potential widespread strikes on Iranian infrastructure while threatening that “a whole civilisation will die tonight”. Pakistani leaders reportedly urged the pause during back-channel diplomacy. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner and Vice President JD Vance are expected to to attend the Pakistan talks, according to CNN.
Later, the US President added: “…this could be the Golden Age of the Middle East!!!” He had earlier threatened to bomb the country “back to the stone ages”.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed the terms, declaring that Iran would accept the ceasefire “if attacks against Iran are halted.” Iranian armed forces will coordinate safe passage through the strait during the period, he said.
“In response to the brotherly request of PM Sharif in his tweet, and considering the request by the US for negotiations based on its 15-point proposal, as well as announcement by POTUS about acceptance of the general framework of Iran’s 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations, I hereby declare on behalf of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council: If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations,” Araghchi wrote on X.
“For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations,” he added.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, carries about 20-30% of the world’s seaborne oil trade. Its disruption in recent fighting had sent global oil prices soaring, rattling energy markets and economies worldwide.
Israel says U.S.-Iran ceasefire ‘does not include Lebanon’
Meanwhile, Israeli, though brief on the development, has expressed caution. It added that ceasefire deal “does not include Lebanon”, which was drawn into the war after Iran-backed group Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel.
“Israel supports President Trump’s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region. Israel also supports the US effort to ensure that Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile and terror threat to America, Israel, Iran’s Arab neighbours and the world. The United States has told Israel that it is committed to achieving these goals, shared by the US, Israel and Israel’s regional allies, in the upcoming negotiations. The two-week ceasefire does not include Lebanon,” Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu said.
It contradicts an earlier announcement by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that said the ceasefire covers “everywhere including Lebanon”.
On Wednesday, Tehran said its 10-point plan for securing an end to the war with the United States would require Washington to accept its uranium enrichment program and the lifting of all sanctions.
- The full removal of both primary and secondary sanctions imposed on Iran.
- Preservation of Iranian control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
- Complete withdrawal of US military forces from the Middle East.
- An immediate halt to all attacks against Iran and its regional allies.
- The unfreezing and release of Iranian assets held abroad.
- A binding United Nations Security Council resolution to formalize and enforce any final deal.
Iranian officials framed the proposal as a comprehensive framework for achieving lasting peace, though analysts note that several core elements—particularly the demand for unrestricted uranium enrichment and total sanctions relief—have long been non-starters for Washington.
