President Trump declared in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday that the US was going to stop bombing Iran for a period of two weeks as part of a mutual ceasefire deal through Pakistani mediation.
Trump said it was “subject” to Iran agreeing to open the Strait of Hormuz, and it was initially unclear if Tehran had agreed, but Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement that if the US and Israel stop attacking Iran, Tehran will “cease their defensive operation. For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordinating with Iran’s Armed Forces.”
According to Iranian media, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has since issued a statement saying that it has achieved a “historic victory” by getting the US to accept an Iranian-proposed 10-point ceasefire plan.
President Trump said in his post on Truth Social: “Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that 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. This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE! The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East.”
The president said the US had received Iran’s 10-point peace proposal, and according to media reports, the proposal includes an end to all conflict in the region, including the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, the lifting of all US sanctions on Iran, and a mechanism for transit through the Strait of Hormuz that will involve Tehran charging a fee and using that money for reconstruction.
“We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated. On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the Countries of the Middle East, it is an Honor to have this Longterm problem close to resolution. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump said.
Trump has backed down on his threat to destroy Iran if the country didn’t agree to open the strait by 8 pm EST on Tuesday. In the morning, he declared that a “whole civilization will die tonight” if a deal wasn’t reached, a threat that drew widespread condemnation.
