Kamal Ghorui
US President Donald Trump has announced a two-week suspension of planned bombing and military strikes on Iran, subject to the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement, made hours ahead of a previously indicated escalation timeline, signals a temporary de-escalation in tensions and opens a window for negotiations.Trump said the pause would be contingent on Iran agreeing to the “complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz.” He described the move as “a double sided ceasefire” aimed at creating space for diplomacy.Trump, in his Truth Social post, said, “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. 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. 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 finalised and consummated. On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the countries of the Middle East, it is an honor to have this longterm problem close to resolution.”The decision follows discussions with Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir amid heightened regional tensions. Trump indicated that diplomatic engagement with Tehran had made progress, stating, “We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate.”He added that “almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran,” and expressed optimism that the two-week window could help finalise a “definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East.”Iran signalled conditional willingness to reciprocate. Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking on behalf of the country’s Supreme National Security Council, said, “If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations.”He further stated that for two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be allowed “via coordination with Iran’s armed forces and with due consideration to technical limitations.”Meanwhile, Araghchi said in his official statement, “On behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I express gratitude and appreciation for my dear brothers, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, for their tireless efforts to end the war in the region.In response to the brotherly request of PM Sharif in his tweet, and considering the request by the US for negotiations based on its 15-point proposal, as well as the announcement by POTUS about acceptance of the general framework of Iran’s 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations, I hereby declare on behalf of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council: If attacks against Iran are halted, our powerful armed forces will cease their 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.”The developments point to a fragile but significant diplomatic opening, with both sides indicating readiness to pause hostilities if conditions are met, even as the situation remains fluid.
