President Donald Trump secured a two-week ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday. The deal followed a diplomatic push led by Pakistan and focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump announced on Truth Social that he would suspend planned U.S. attacks on Iran. He made the decision just under two hours before his 8 p.m. deadline. The move came after talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir.
“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.
He added, “This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE!”
The agreement pauses hostilities for two weeks. During that time, negotiators will try to finalize a broader deal. Trump said Iran’s 10-point proposal provides a “workable basis” for continued talks. He also said both sides are close to a longer-term agreement.
“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 Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East,” Trump wrote.
The temporary deal centers on the Strait of Hormuz. It is one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints. Iran indicated it would allow limited passage during the ceasefire period.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi spoke on behalf of Iran’s Supreme National Council. He thanked Pakistani officials for helping secure the pause.
“If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations,” the statement said. “For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations.”
Pakistan played a central role in the final negotiations. Sharif publicly urged Trump earlier Tuesday to delay military action. He asked for more time for diplomacy.
“To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks. Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open the Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture,” Sharif said in a post on X.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said before the announcement that the administration had received the proposal. She said it was under review. Trump also told reporters earlier that talks were active and sensitive.
“I can’t tell you, because right now we’re in heated negotiations,” Trump said. He also described Sharif as “a highly respected man.”
The ceasefire marked a sharp turn from earlier warnings. Hours before the breakthrough, Trump warned of severe consequences if Iran did not comply.
“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will,” Trump wrote earlier on Truth Social.
Before the ceasefire, U.S. and Israeli forces had stepped up strikes. U.S. Central Command said it launched exploding attack drones overnight. The Israeli military said it struck eight bridge segments in Iran on Tuesday.
Trump had been threatening to target Iran’s infrastructure and energy sector. The warnings were in response to Tehran’s actions around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had warned it would escalate further. It also signaled it could target nearby Gulf states.
The market reacted quickly to the news. Oil futures dropped sharply after Trump’s announcement. West Texas Intermediate fell more than 13% to below $92 a barrel within an hour.
Oil prices had surged during the conflict. The Strait of Hormuz normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Disruptions had pushed prices higher.
The immediate crisis appears to have eased for now. The agreement remains temporary and conditional. The next two weeks will be critical. Officials will try to turn the ceasefire into a broader deal and keep the strait open.