Trump Declares Two-Week Ceasefire with Iran Following Last-Minute Deal
President Trump halts planned strikes on Iran for two weeks after Tehran agrees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, following mediation by Pakistan.
High-Stakes Brinkmanship Leads to Fortnight-Long Truce
WASHINGTON, D.C., In a dramatic reversal just ninety minutes before a scheduled military onslaught, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a two-week suspension of planned strikes against Iran. The decision comes after Iran agreed to a critical concession: the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The de-escalation followed a day of extreme tension on April 7, 2026, during which President Trump had warned on social media that "a whole civilization will die tonight" if Tehran did not meet his ultimatums.
The Pakistan Connection
The breakthrough was mediated by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. In a statement posted to Truth Social at 6:32 PM ET, Trump confirmed he had accepted their request to "hold off the destructive force" in exchange for the "COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING" of the world’s most vital oil transit point.
"I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks," Trump wrote, claiming that the U.S. had already "exceeded all military objectives" and was nearing a definitive peace agreement.
Tehran Responds
Shortly after the American announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi confirmed the tentative pact. Araghchi stated that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be restored via coordination with the Iranian Armed Forces, provided U.S. offensive operations ceased.
, In a dramatic reversal just ninety minutes before a scheduled military onslaught, U.S.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council suggested the ceasefire could be extended if upcoming negotiations in Islamabad prove successful.
A Region on the Edge
The conflict, which began on February 28 as a joint U.S.-Israeli offensive, has passed the five-week mark with a heavy human and economic toll:
- Casualties: 2,076 people have been killed in Iran, with additional fatalities reported in Israel (26), the U.S. (13), and neighboring Gulf states (28).
- Economic Impact: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles 20% of global oil and gas, caused global fuel prices to skyrocket, fueling domestic political pressure on the Trump administration.
- Humanitarian Concerns: Trump’s previous threats to target civilian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, drew sharp condemnation from legal experts who warned such actions would constitute war crimes.
Uncertainty for Israel and Proxies
While the ceasefire provides a "collective sigh of relief" for the Middle East, analysts remain cautious. A primary concern is whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will adhere to the pause.
"Israel has generally followed this administration's lead, but some argue the U.S. entered this war at Israel's urging," noted correspondent Mike Hanna. Furthermore, it remains unclear if the truce extends to Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, a key demand for a lasting peace according to Tehran.
Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft suggested that while the U.S. has the leverage to restrain Israel, the political cost for Trump remains high. However, he noted that Israel is unlikely to risk defying Washington if it means facing Iran without American military backing.
For now, the world watches Islamabad, where diplomats will attempt to turn a fragile fourteen-day window into a permanent end to the hostilites.
