In a dramatic turn of events, former President Donald Trump has declared a temporary ceasefire agreement with Iran, narrowly avoiding a military confrontation that was set to begin within hours.
Trump revealed the deal through a post on his Truth Social platform, stating that he agreed to suspend planned bombing operations against Iran for a two-week period. The announcement came just sixty minutes before an 8 PM ET deadline he had previously established.
"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," Trump wrote. "This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE!"
The former president had previously threatened to bomb Iran "back to the stone ages" if the strategic Strait of Hormuz wasn't opened by his deadline. The waterway is crucial for global oil shipments, and its closure has significant implications for international trade and energy markets.
Trump indicated that the temporary pause in hostilities could lead to a more permanent solution, suggesting that a "longterm problem" is "close to resolution." The two-week window appears designed to allow for diplomatic negotiations while maintaining military pressure on Tehran.
The announcement marks a significant de-escalation in tensions that had been building toward potential armed conflict. The involvement of Pakistani leadership as intermediaries suggests regional diplomatic efforts played a crucial role in brokering the temporary agreement.