What we know about the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran
What we know about the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran
Iran and the United States have reached a conditional agreement for a two-week pause in hostilities, permitting the free flow of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This development follows coordinated strikes by the US and Israel on Iranian targets over a month prior, and occurred shortly after US President Donald Trump issued a dire warning about potential attacks on Iran. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who facilitated the talks, declared on Wednesday that the ceasefire would take effect immediately.
Terms of the agreement
Trump outlined the deal as a suspension of military actions against Iran, provided Tehran agrees to reopen the vital shipping route. He stated that the decision was based on achieving “military objectives” and surpassing them. The statement also included a warning that the US could “eliminate Iran in one night,” a remark that sparked international backlash from both the UN Secretary-General and the Pope.
Trump said he agreed to “suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks” if Tehran reopened the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s response involved a commitment to allow ships to pass through the Strait for two weeks, with military coordination in place. The nation also released a 10-point proposal, which covers stopping hostilities in regions like Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen, lifting sanctions, returning frozen assets, and compensating for reconstruction costs. Additionally, Iran pledged not to pursue nuclear weapons.
Israel’s stance remains firm, as its leaders insist on continuing operations in Lebanon until Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group, is neutralized. There is no evidence that Israel has consented to halt its activities there or elsewhere. Shortly after Trump’s announcement, sirens were heard in Israel, with the military reporting missile interceptions from Iran. Loud explosions were reported in Jerusalem late Tuesday night.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “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.” He clarified the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, where Israeli troops are stationed.
Pakistan, acting as a mediator, has invited the delegations to meet in Islamabad on Friday to work toward a final resolution. The White House confirmed discussions are ongoing for in-person talks, though no official conclusion has been reached. Despite the agreement, differences between the two nations persist, with conflicting interpretations of the ceasefire’s scope. Previous negotiations had seen tensions rise midway through talks, highlighting the challenges ahead.
