The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire just hours before the expiration of Donald Trump’s ultimatum to destroy the Islamic Republic. Peace talks are set to begin in Islamabad on Friday.
White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said, “The US administration is considering direct talks with Iran, but nothing has been finalized.”
Trump said on his Truth Social account, “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 added, “This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE! 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. We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate.”
He continued, “Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated.”
In a separate post on Wednesday, Trump declared, “A big day for World Peace! Iran wants it to happen, they’ve had enough! Likewise, so has everyone else! The United States of America will be helping with the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz. There will be lots of positive action! Big money will be made. Iran can start the reconstruction process.”
He added, “We’ll be loading up with supplies of all kinds, and just “hangin’ around” in order to make sure that everything goes well. I feel confident that it will. Just like we are experiencing in the U.S., this could be the Golden Age of the Middle East!!!”
Israel said it supports US effort to ensure Iran ‘no longer poses’ nuclear threat, however, it clarified that a US-Iran ceasefire deal “does not include Lebanon”.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on X platform, “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.”
He emphasized that the plan would require continued Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, acceptance of uranium enrichment, and the lifting of all sanctions.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced via his X account: “I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.”
Meanwhile, Donald Trump stated that the Iranian uranium issue would be “fully addressed” following the two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran.
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Iran’s uranium would be “perfectly taken care of” under a two-week ceasefire. (AFP)
