WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States would suspend its bombing campaign against Iran for two weeks, subject to Tehran allowing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump made the announcement late Tuesday on Truth Social, less than two hours before a deadline he had set for Iran to reopen the blockaded strait or face further U.S. military action. The move followed conversations with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, who urged Washington to hold off planned strikes.
“Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan ... 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.
The announcement came amid a conflict that escalated after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets beginning in late February. Iran responded by restricting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed Tehran's acceptance of the ceasefire terms, stating that if attacks halted, Iranian forces would cease defensive operations. “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 said, according to Iranian state media.
Pakistan mediated the talks leading to the pause. Both sides described the development positively. Trump said U.S. military objectives had been met and referenced a 10-point proposal from Iran as a basis for further negotiations. Iranian officials framed the outcome as aligned with Tehran's positions.
Details of implementation, including the precise start of the ceasefire and resumption of shipping, remained unclear early Wednesday. Shipping data indicated limited initial vessel movements in the strait.
The agreement does not cover Israel's separate campaign in Lebanon, Israeli officials said. Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are expected to begin in Islamabad on Friday, officials indicated.
Global oil prices fell following the announcement as markets anticipated potential easing of disruptions in the waterway, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil shipments normally pass.
As of early Wednesday, monitoring continued in the region, with some vessels reported to have begun transiting under coordination with Iranian authorities. The situation remained fluid, according to reports from both sides.
