War in the Middle East: US and Iran agree to a two

Important US-Iran Ceasefire Agreement Reached Amidst Rising Tensions

• US and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire in exchange for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
• The announcement came just over an hour before Donald Trump’s ultimatum deadline to destroy the Islamic Republic.
• The US president stated to AFP that the US had achieved a “total and complete victory.”

In the dead of night, the US and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, just over an hour before Donald Trump’s ultimatum deadline to destroy the Islamic Republic.

After over five weeks of Israeli-American strikes on Iran, Tehran announced on April 8 that talks will begin on Friday with Washington. These talks will be mediated by Pakistan, a key player in the Middle East conflict.

Following discussions with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Marshal Asim Munir, during which they requested the immediate, secure opening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agreed to suspend military intervention planned for tonight against Iran, conditional on the Islamic Republic of Iran accepting the TOTAL, IMMEDIATE, and SECURE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agreed to suspend bombings and attacks against Iran for a period of two weeks, wrote the US president on his Truth Social platform.

“Total and Complete Victory” According to Trump

The latest in a series of ultimatums issued by Donald Trump to Iran, previously postponed, gave Tehran until 8 pm Washington time (midnight GMT) to reopen the strategic maritime passage through which 20% of global oil flowed before the war. “It will be a mutual CEASEFIRE!”, added Donald Trump, asserting that the US “has already achieved and surpassed all our military objectives” since the American-Israeli airstrikes began on February 28.

He also mentioned “very advanced” discussions toward a long-term peace agreement with Iran. Tehran presented “a 10-point proposal” that “provides a viable basis for negotiation”. According to Iranian media, Tehran’s plan includes Washington accepting uranium enrichment and the lifting of all sanctions.

The US president then told AFP that the US had scored a “total and complete victory” by reaching a two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran. “A total and complete victory. 100%. There is no doubt about it”, affirmed Donald Trump in a brief interview after the agreement was announced.

Iranian leaders have confirmed that they agreed to reopen “for a period of two weeks” the Strait of Hormuz “if attacks against Iran cease”, wrote Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on X.

“It was decided at the highest level that Iran will engage in negotiations with the American party in Islamabad for a period of two weeks (…)”, added the Supreme National Security Council in a statement.

“It is specified that this does not mean the end of the war, and Iran will only accept the cessation of hostilities once” negotiations have concluded, they added, noting that these two weeks could be extended “in agreement with both parties”.