Iran War: Trump Announces Two-Week Ceasefire

On Wednesday, April 8, U.S. President Donald Trump declared a two-week pause in hostilities with Iran following the receipt of a ten-point proposal from Tehran. The move was part of ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.

Regional Agreements and Reactions

Reports from the U.S., Israel, and Iran indicate that both nations had endorsed a ceasefire proposal from Pakistan, setting a two-week truce. The New York Times highlighted that Iranian officials claimed the agreement was approved by the country’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

“The ceasefire was endorsed by Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei,” stated Iranian officials cited by The New York Times.

In Iran, state media portrayed Trump’s decision as a sign of acceptance of their terms, calling it a “humiliating retreat from anti-Iran rhetoric.” Meanwhile, U.S. broadcaster CNN referenced a senior White House official: “Israel has agreed to suspend its bombing campaign while negotiations continue.”

“Israel has agreed to suspend its bombing campaign while negotiations continue,” said a senior White House official cited by CNN.

The Israeli military confirmed that Iranian missiles were launched toward Israeli territory shortly after Trump’s announcement. “Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” reported the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on their Telegram channel.

Conditions and Strategic Context

Trump’s agreement to halt attacks on Iran for two weeks is dependent on Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz, as stated in his social media message. He had set a deadline for this action, claiming it would have resulted in the “death of a whole civilization.”

“I agreed to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” Trump wrote on social media following talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The president reiterated that the ceasefire was “subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz.” He noted that Iran had submitted a ten-point plan, which he deemed a “workable basis on which to negotiate,” though specifics were not detailed.