On Tuesday, President Donald Trump declared a halt to airstrikes against Iran, setting a two-week deadline for Tehran to agree to the complete, immediate, and secure reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The announcement was made by Trump on Truth Social at 4:32 PM, just hours before an ultimatum was set to expire that threatened the destruction of Iranian power plants, bridges, and oil wells.
"Based on discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir of Pakistan, who urged me to halt the destructive force scheduled for Iran tonight, and contingent upon the Islamic Republic of Iran's acceptance of the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SECURE reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to pause the bombing and assault on Iran for two weeks. This will be a BILATERAL ceasefire!" Trump stated.
According to Fox News, Trump further mentioned that the United States had met and surpassed all military objectives established at the outset of operations against Iran's nuclear program.
Key Role of Pakistan in De-escalation
The intervention by Pakistan's Prime Minister was pivotal. Sources close to the negotiations revealed that Sharif strongly and forcefully pressed Trump to grant an extension that could allow for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
The joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign had already decimated Iran's nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow, striking at the core of Tehran's atomic program within days.
Global Energy Crisis Triggered
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran had resulted in a catastrophic 97% reduction in naval traffic, sparking an unprecedented global energy crisis and sending oil prices soaring on international markets.
In the days leading up to the announcement, the diplomatic landscape had been muddled. Trump asserted that peace talks were gaining traction and very real, while the Iranian regime dismissed these claims as false and unfounded.
The two-week window established by Trump leaves open the potential for resuming military operations if Iran fails to meet the condition of fully and verifiably reopening the strait.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Iran Ceasefire
What conditions did Trump set for the ceasefire?
Trump demanded the complete, immediate, and secure reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran as a condition for the ceasefire.
Who influenced Trump's decision to announce the ceasefire?
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir played a crucial role in influencing Trump's decision to announce the ceasefire.
What impact did the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have?
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran led to a drastic 97% reduction in naval traffic, triggering a global energy crisis and causing oil prices to surge.