What we know about the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran
What We Know About the Two-Week Ceasefire Between the US and Iran
Iran and the United States have reached a conditional agreement for a two-week pause in hostilities. This deal permits the continuation of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway for oil and other exports from the Gulf. The arrangement follows a coordinated assault by the US and Israel on Iran, which occurred over a month prior. The timing of the ceasefire came shortly after US President Donald Trump issued a dire warning that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” if Iran did not immediately clear the strait.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, acting as a mediator, announced the ceasefire’s implementation on Wednesday. According to Sharif, the agreement took effect right away. The deal hinges on Iran’s commitment to reopen the strait and coordinate its operations with the Iranian military to allow unimpeded passage for vessels.
“We have already met and exceeded all military objectives,” Trump stated on Truth Social, explaining his decision to suspend strikes on Iran for two weeks.
Iran has outlined a 10-point plan as part of the accord. It includes the cessation of hostilities in four regions—Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen—and the promise of lifting sanctions, returning frozen assets, and compensating for reconstruction costs. The nation also pledged to “fully commit to not seeking possession of any nuclear weapons.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, where his country maintains ground troops. He stated that Israel would back the US decision “subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel, and countries in the region.” However, there is no evidence yet that Israel has agreed to halt operations in Lebanon or other areas.
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, sirens were heard in Israel, signaling missile launches from Iran. The Israel Defense Forces reported intercepting projectiles, with loud booms reported in Jerusalem late Tuesday. Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high as Israel continues its military activities in Lebanon, vowing to remove the threat posed by Hezbollah.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed ongoing discussions about in-person talks but clarified that “nothing is final until announced by the President or the White House.” Negotiations are expected to be complex, as the two nations have conflicting interpretations of the ceasefire’s scope. Earlier this year, they had already engaged in two rounds of talks, both of which saw military tensions rise during the process.