What we know about the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran
Details of the Ceasefire Agreement
Iran and the United States have entered into a temporary two-week pause in hostilities, allowing uninterrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This arrangement follows coordinated strikes by the US and Israel on Iranian targets more than a month prior, and occurs shortly after President Donald Trump issued a stark warning that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” if Iran did not resume access to the critical waterway.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the ceasefire’s immediacy, stating it was effective as soon as Wednesday. The deal hinges on Iran reopening the strait, with military coordination ensuring the passage of vessels. Trump’s announcement, shared on Truth Social, emphasized that the agreement would “suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks” in exchange for Tehran’s compliance.
“I have agreed to halt the aerial assaults on Iran for two weeks, provided they reopen the straits and cease all attacks on the US, Israel, and regional nations.”
Iran’s Conditions and Political Stance
Iran has outlined a 10-point plan as part of the deal, which includes halting conflicts in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen; lifting sanctions; releasing frozen assets; and compensating for reconstruction costs. The country also pledged to “not seek possession of any nuclear weapons,” according to a statement from its Supreme National Security Council.
However, the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, where Israel continues its military operations against Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that the agreement does not cover this region, stating the ceasefire “does not include Lebanon” and that Israel would remain in the area until Hezbollah’s threat is neutralized.
“I support President Trump’s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks, contingent on them immediately opening the straits and halting attacks on the US, Israel, and regional countries.”
Reactions and Next Steps
Hours after the ceasefire was announced, Israeli forces intercepted missiles launched from Iran, with sirens echoing in Jerusalem late Tuesday night. Despite this, the agreement faces uncertainty, as Israel has not confirmed its full participation. Pakistan, acting as a mediator, has invited delegations to Islamabad for further talks, aiming to achieve a comprehensive resolution to ongoing disputes.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt noted that in-person discussions are under consideration but stressed that no terms are finalized until the President or the White House declares. The negotiations, already complicated by differing interpretations of the ceasefire’s scope, will likely remain challenging as both sides prepare for future rounds of talks.
