US President Donald Trump has agreed to a temporary truce with Iran, backing away from an earlier ultimatum that threatened severe consequences if the Strait of Hormuz remained closed to international shipping.
The White House confirmed the pause in hostilities late on Sunday, describing it as a “limited de-escalation” to allow diplomatic talks to continue.
Trump had earlier warned Iran of “hell” if the strategic waterway was not reopened, but officials said recent back-channel contacts with Tehran prompted the decision to halt further military action for an initial five-day period.
“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 said.
The ceasefire followed last-minute diplomatic efforts led by Shehbaz Sharif, who pushed for a pause to “allow diplomacy to run its course”.
Earlier in the day, Trump had issued a stark warning on social media, writing, “A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”
Despite that warning, the US leader later described the agreement as progress, calling it “a big day for world peace” and claiming Iran had “had enough”.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, confirmed Tehran’s participation, stating, “For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordinating with Iran’s Armed Forces.”
The truce is expected to create space for negotiations around a proposed 10-point peace framework, which Trump described as a “workable basis” for a longer-term agreement.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel supports the ceasefire but clarified that it does not apply to ongoing hostilities involving Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“This will be a double-sided CEASEFIRE!” Trump said. “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.”
However, uncertainty remains over key elements of the proposed deal, including Iran’s nuclear programme, after differing versions of the plan surfaced.
Pakistan has invited both countries for talks in Islamabad, although the US has yet to formally confirm its participation.
Despite the announcement, hostilities continued in parts of the region shortly after the agreement, highlighting the fragile nature of the truce.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of global energy supply passes, remains central to the negotiations, with global markets already reacting to hopes of resumed oil flows.
While the ceasefire offers a temporary pause, analysts say the next two weeks will be critical in determining whether it leads to a lasting resolution or a return to conflict.
