President Donald Trump says the United States has agreed to a two-week Pakistani-brokered cease-fire, pulling back from the brink to allow the two sides time to negotiate a peace deal.
Trump, who earlier on April 7 wrote that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran fails to reach a deal, said in a social media post that he had received a 10 point proposal from Tehran and he believes “it is a workable basis on which to negotiate.”
The Tasnim news agency, which is close to the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), confirmed a cease-fire has been “established” between the two sides “with specific conditions.” It did not elaborate saying “more precise details would be announced soon.
Trump also gave no details of the Iranian proposal, but added that the agreement hinges on Tehran allowing for the free passage of ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil and gas shipping lane.
“…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 wrote.
It was not clear if Israel had also agreed to the plan.
“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 added.
Trump’s post followed his warnings that the United States would target Iran’s power plants and bridges in remarks described by Iranian officials as threats that amount to “war crimes,” though some international legal experts dispute such a claim.
It also came just hours after US and Israeli air strikes hit multiple locations across Iran, including infrastructure and the strategic Kharg Island.
The last-minute move came amid global concerns over Trump’s remarks on wiping out Iranian civilization, with Pope Leo, an American, suggesting it was “truly unacceptable” and others warning against attacks on civilian infrastructure.
There had been few signs that the sides were ready for compromise in the war, which began with US and Israeli air strikes on Iran on February 28, and little overlap between proposals put forth by Washington and Tehran.
