Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he had agreed to suspend bombing operations against Iran for two weeks as part of a proposed ceasefire arrangement.
The US President said the pause in military action would take effect if Tehran immediately and safely reopened the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route.
In a message posted shortly before the expiration of his deadline for possible military action, Trump said the suspension of hostilities was conditional.
“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,” he wrote.
Trump described the move as a “double-sided ceasefire”, saying it could provide both sides with time to finalise a broader peace arrangement.
According to him, the United States had already achieved its primary military objectives and was close to reaching a long-term agreement that could stabilise the region.
“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 long-term peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East,” Trump said.
He also revealed that Washington had received a 10-point proposal from Tehran, which he described as a workable foundation for negotiations.
“We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate,” he added.
The announcement came amid intense diplomatic efforts to avert a major escalation in the region.
Officials say the development followed a last-minute intervention by Pakistan, which reportedly proposed a framework aimed at preventing a large-scale US military strike on Iran.
Earlier, Trump had warned that the situation could escalate rapidly, saying that “a whole civilization will die tonight” unless an agreement was reached to de-escalate tensions.
He added that most of the key points of disagreement between the two countries had already been addressed, but the proposed two-week window would allow negotiators to finalise the details.
“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,” he said.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, with a significant portion of global oil shipments passing through the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to international markets.
Any disruption to the strait could have far-reaching consequences for global energy supply and economic stability.
Diplomatic observers say the proposed ceasefire could open the door to renewed negotiations aimed at reducing tensions between Iran and the United States while preventing a wider conflict in the Middle East.
