The United States and Iran reached an agreement on a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, April 7, just an hour before Donald Trump’s ultimatum expired. Trump backed down from his previous threats, stating that “an entire civilization will die” if Tehran did not reach an agreement with Washington. He refrained from attacking Iranian bridges and power plants, which would have been considered a war crime.
“In the event that the Islamic Republic of Iran accepts the complete, immediate, and secure opening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend bombings and attacks against Iran for a period of two weeks,” Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council declared that it had accepted the ceasefire and would negotiate with the United States in Islamabad, starting from Friday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be allowed under the direction of the Iranian military but did not immediately clarify if this meant Iran would completely release its control over the waterway.
Neither Iran nor the United States indicated when the ceasefire would begin, and attacks occurred in Israel, Iran, and throughout the Gulf region on Wednesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that they accepted the ceasefire but noted that it did not include Lebanon.
The ceasefire includes Israel and Hezbollah ceasing combat in Lebanon, according to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who mediated the talks. He praised both parties for their wisdom and constructive commitment to peace and stability.
In a ten-point ceasefire plan shared in Farsi, Iran included the acceptance of enrichment for its nuclear program, but this phrase was absent from the English versions provided by Iranian diplomats for unclear reasons. The plan also allows Iran and Oman to collect fees from ships transiting the strait, with the funds earmarked for reconstruction.
Iran’s demands to end the war include the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from the region, the lifting of sanctions, and the release of frozen assets.
Donald Trump initially stated that Iran had proposed a “feasible” ten-point plan to end the war, but later called it fraudulent without elaborating. Trump emphasized that a complete halt to Iran’s nuclear program was a key point in the war.
The President faces pressure as fuel prices in the U.S. have sharply increased. However, oil prices dropped by over 17% after the ceasefire announcement.
The United States and Israel have conducted attacks on Iran targeting its military capabilities, leaders, and nuclear program. Iran responded with strikes on Israel and its Arab Gulf neighbors, leading to regional chaos and significant economic and political repercussions.
Before the deadline set by Donald Trump, airstrikes hit two bridges and a station, and the U.S. struck military infrastructure on Kharg Island, a hub of Iranian oil production.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, missile alerts continued in the UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait on Wednesday, reflecting the surrounding chaos amidst diplomatic efforts. An Abu Dhabi gas processing facility was reportedly set on fire by Iranian shots.
Israel and Iran continue attacks on each other, with an Israeli military official confirming Israel’s ongoing strikes while Iran remains active as well.
The U.S. military has ceased offensive operations against Iran but continues defensive actions, according to an anonymous official to discuss sensitive military operations.
Over 1,900 people have been killed in Iran since the war began, but the government has not updated the death toll for several days.
In Lebanon, where Israel fights Hezbollah militants backed by Iran, more than 1,500 people have been killed, and over a million displaced. Eleven Israeli soldiers have lost their lives.
In the Gulf Arab states and occupied West Bank, over two dozen people have died, with 23 reported deaths in Israel and 13 American soldiers killed.
