United States President Donald Trump announced late Tuesday that he has suspended a ‘destructive’ strike operation against Iran.
Trump announced that the decision comes after both nations reached a provisional ceasefire agreement.
The centerpiece of the deal involves the immediate and safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint where approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply passes. For weeks, the waterway has been effectively paralyzed by Iranian defensive maneuvers and U.S. naval operations, causing global energy prices to skyrocket.
Trump disclosed the decision on Tuesday evening in a post on his Truth Social platform, just hours before a deadline he had earlier set for a ‘destructive’ bombing strike against Iran.
According to the U.S president, the decision followed diplomatic intervention by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the country’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who appealed for restraint and helped broker a temporary understanding between Washington and Tehran.
Trump stated that Iran had submitted a “10-point proposal” that Washington considers a viable basis for negotiations toward a broader peace settlement.
Trump said the two-week pause would allow both sides to finalise negotiations aimed at securing a lasting peace arrangement in the region.
The statement reads: “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! 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. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The post was published at about 6:32pm US Eastern Time, less than two hours before the 8pm deadline he had set for the planned strike.
Shortly after Trump announced the postponement of the destructive strike against Iran, the country’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Tehran had agreed to a conditional ceasefire.
“If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations,” Araghchi said.
He added that safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz would be permitted for the two weeks through coordination with Iran’s armed forces.
“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 said, while thanking Pakistan for its role in facilitating the last-minute diplomatic effort.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council also suggested the ceasefire could be extended if negotiations progress positively, with further talks expected to take place in Islamabad in the coming weeks.
The announcement followed a day of heightened tensions after Trump issued a stark warning on social media earlier Tuesday.
“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” the US president wrote, describing the looming deadline as potentially “one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the world”.
Trump had previously threatened to target Iran’s power plants, bridges, and other critical infrastructure if Tehran failed to comply with his demands, warnings that legal experts said could raise serious questions under international law.
The conflict began more than five weeks ago after Israel and the United States launched a joint military offensive against Iran on February 28, arguing that the operation was necessary to curb Tehran’s regional influence and prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.
The war has already caused significant casualties. Nearly 2,076 people have been reportedly killed in Iran since the fighting began, while 28 others have died in neighbouring Gulf states.
The United States has lost 13 military personnel, while Israel has reported 26 civilian deaths.
