- President Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran just before a military deadline.
- The agreement followed talks with Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir.
- Iran confirmed it will join negotiations with the US in Islamabad starting Friday.
- The ceasefire includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz under safe conditions.
- The US said a 10-point proposal from Iran could form the basis of a long-term peace deal.
The United States has agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran after a proposal from Pakistan, president Donald Trump announced just 90 minutes before his deadline for possible military action.
Trump shared the announcement on Truth Social on Tuesday evening (7), while Democrats criticized him for earlier threats against Iran.
"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, subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz," the US President said.
"I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks," Trump said, adding that this would be a mutual ceasefire.
In Tehran, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed it accepted the ceasefire and would begin talks with the US in Islamabad on Friday.
In Islamabad, Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif invited both the US and Iranian delegations for negotiations on April 10 to work toward a final agreement.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said discussions about in-person talks are ongoing, "but nothing is final until announced by the President or the White House".
In his post, Trump said the US had received a 10-point proposal from Iran that could serve as a workable starting point for negotiations.
He added that the two-week ceasefire period would be used to finalize a broader agreement to potentially end the conflict.
"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 said.
"We received a 10-point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate," he said.
Trump added that most major issues between the US and Iran had already been resolved, and the two-week period would help finalize the agreement.
"On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the Countries of the Middle East, it is an Honour to have this long-term problem close to resolution," he said.
Trump also shared a statement from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirming the ceasefire.
"If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations,” the Iranian foreign minister said, adding that for the next two weeks, passage through the Strait of Hormuz "will be possible”, in coordination with Iran's military.
The US had launched military action against Iran on February 28 after Tehran refused to give up its nuclear fuel stockpile.
