United State President Donald Trump has announced a 2-week ceasefire with Iran, saying the agreement is predicated on the condition that the Islamic Republic will commit to reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump made this known in a post on his Truth Social account on Tuesday night, having earlier threatened that Iran’s “whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again” if the country’s leadership failed to make “something revolutionary” happen.
In his post, Trump wrote: “Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double-sided CEASEFIRE.”
He added: “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 Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East. We received a 10-point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated. On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the Countries of the Middle East, it is an Honor to have this long-term problem close to resolution.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his country also agreed to suspend defensive operations, on the premise that attacks by the United States and Israel would be halted.
“For a period of 2 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,” Araghchi said on Tuesday night, adding: “If attacks against Iran are halted, our powerful armed forces will cease their defensive operations.”
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, however, cautioned that the ceasefire does not amount to an end of the war, stating that Iran would only accept a formal end to hostilities once the US agrees to the principles outlined in its 10-point plan and finalises the details through negotiations.
“It is emphasised that this ceasefire agreement does not mean the end of the war, and Iran will only accept the end of the war when, in addition to accepting the principles outlined in the 10-point plan, the details are finalised in negotiations,” the Security Council said.
The 2-week ceasefire, which has been accepted by Israel, is expected to take effect immediately.