Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday an agreement to suspend military strikes on Iran for a two-week period, contingent upon Iran's agreement to fully and immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway for global oil shipments. This development came as a result of intense diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions between the two nations.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump's announcement was made on social media just 90 minutes before his deadline for the reopening of the strait was due to expire. The decision to pause military actions follows mediation efforts by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, who urged for continued diplomatic negotiations to resolve the conflict.
Prior to the announcement, tensions had reached a boiling point, with Trump threatening severe military actions against Iran, including the destruction of infrastructure, if Tehran did not comply with the reopening demand. He warned of catastrophic consequences should the deadline be ignored.
Trump's statement on Truth Social indicated that the ceasefire would be mutual, emphasizing that military objectives had been largely achieved and that discussions for a long-term peace agreement were underway. He noted that Iran had presented a 10-point proposal, which he considered a viable foundation for negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking for Iran's Supreme National Security Council, confirmed that Iran would cease defensive operations if attacks were halted. He assured that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be coordinated with Iran's armed forces over the two-week period, given certain technical constraints.
The conflict had led to a blockade of the strait by Iran, affecting oil prices and fueling inflation fears. The Strait of Hormuz is crucial for the global oil supply, handling approximately 20% of it.
Following the ceasefire announcement, the U.S. ceased all offensive operations in Iran, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing a senior U.S. official. However, questions remain about the possibility of a lasting resolution to the conflict, as the U.S. continues to push for stringent terms regarding Iran's nuclear and missile programs, which Iran has opposed.
The ceasefire comes at a time when Trump is seeking to extract the U.S. from the conflict, amid concerns over prolonged warfare impacting oil prices and the economy ahead of the November midterm elections. The military campaign against Iran, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," began on February 28, targeting Iran's military infrastructure and nuclear capabilities. The operation saw significant developments, including the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with his successor reportedly in a precarious state.