The two-week ceasefire is temporary and depends on further negotiations in Islamabad on April 10.
US President Donald Trump stepped back from the brink of a major escalation with Iran this week, pulling back threats of devastating strikes just hours before a self-imposed deadline for Tehran to concede. He agreed to a two-week ceasefire, opening a diplomatic window to de-escalate the 40-day conflict. Tehran also accepted the truce and agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz conditionally.
"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," Trump announced.
(Infographic courtesy: X@iraninmalaysia)
Trump said the US would hold off on targeting Iranian bridges, power plants, and other civilian infrastructure, following what he described as a “workable” 10-point peace proposal put forward by Iran. Further talks aimed at securing a long-term peace in the Middle East are scheduled to take place between Washington and Tehran in Islamabad on April 10.
While Iran confirmed its acceptance of the ceasefire framework, missile alerts continued to be reported across the Gulf. Israel also supported the ceasefire for two weeks, specifying that the truce does not include Lebanon, where it continues to pound.
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Major updates >> Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has warned that its forces remain on high alert despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, stating that “our fingers are on the trigger.” >> Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has sharply criticised the ceasefire, calling it a “political disaster” and claiming Israel was not involved in key decisions affecting its national security. >> US President Donald Trump said the US will be “helping with the traffic buildup” in the Strait of Hormuz. >> Iran, under the new ceasefire framework, will charge a $2 million fee from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported. |
