The United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, reaching a deal just before President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This announcement came after mediation by Pakistan’s military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who invited both Iranian and U. S. delegations to meet in Islamabad. The ceasefire is conditioned on Iran pausing its blockade of oil and gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial as it handles about one-fifth of global oil shipments. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, stated that Tehran would stop counter-attacks and ensure safe passage through the waterway if attacks against it cease.
Israel expressed support for the temporary halt in strikes against Iran but indicated that the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, which differs from Sharif’s previous claims that it included halting Israeli operations there. Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that this ceasefire is a mutual one, declaring victory in achieving military objectives and progress towards long-term peace in the region. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council viewed the agreement as a win over the U. S., stating that Trump accepted Iran’s conditions to end hostilities. Trump confirmed to the French news agency AFP that this was a total victory and framed it as a significant step towards world peace.
The ongoing war has resulted in over 5,000 deaths across nearly a dozen countries, including more than 1,600 civilians in Iran. However, a source familiar with the talks expressed skepticism about the ceasefire lasting, suggesting that the U. S. believes Iran might only be buying time. While the ceasefire was announced, Israeli strikes continued in southern Lebanon, causing casualties and more attacks in the region.
Details about when the ceasefire would take full effect were unclear, with reports indicating it would begin after Iran reopened the strait. The Iraqi Islamic Resistance also announced it would pause operations in Iraq and the region for the two weeks. Over an hour after the ceasefire announcement, Israeli military reports indicated missile launches from Iran, leading to alerts in Gulf countries like Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Trump mentioned that negotiations were moving forward, facilitated by a 10-point proposal from Iran, suggesting a potential framework for an agreement during this ceasefire period. Additionally, markets reacted positively to the ceasefire, with oil prices dropping and signs of a rally in stocks and bonds. The Australian government welcomed the ceasefire, citing concerns about the ongoing war’s economic and humanitarian impacts.
Trump’s announcement followed a day marked by increasing military threats to Iran. His earlier declaration to target Iranian infrastructure raised international concerns and drew criticism from leaders, including the head of the United Nations and Pope Leo, regarding the legality of such actions. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has led to rising oil prices and fears of a global economic downturn. Amid an upcoming midterm election, Trump’s approval ratings are low, with public discontent regarding the war and rising gasoline prices evident. As the deadline approached, U. S. and Israeli military efforts intensified against Iranian targets, including significant infrastructure locations.
With information from Reuters
