US and Iran Agree to Two-Week Truce as Deadline Expires

WASHINGTON D.C. — The United States and Iran have reached an agreement for a provisional two-week ceasefire, narrowly avoiding a massive escalation of hostilities just an hour before a deadline set by the White House.

Key Developments

• Immediate Ceasefire: US President Donald Trump announced late Tuesday that he is suspending plans for expanded strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure. In return, Tehran has agreed to a 14-day pause in combat operations.

• Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz: As part of the truce, Iran has committed to the "regulated passage" of vessels through the strategic waterway. While Iran’s military will coordinate traffic, the move is expected to provide immediate relief to global energy markets.

• The "Islamabad Accord": Facilitated by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir, formal negotiations are scheduled to begin this Friday in Islamabad. The goal is to transform the temporary truce into a permanent peace deal.

Negotiating Positions

Despite the pause, both sides remain cautious. The Iranian Supreme National Security Council stated that their "hands remain upon the trigger," insisting that the ceasefire does not yet signify the end of the war. Tehran is currently pushing a 10-point peace plan that includes:

• The lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions.

• The release of frozen Iranian assets.

• A binding UN Security Council resolution to guarantee the deal.

President Trump described the Iranian proposal as a "workable basis" for talks, noting that major points of contention have been resolved in principle. However, regional complexities remain, with Israel indicating that its security operations in Lebanon will continue regardless of the US-Iran truce.

International Reaction

The international community has widely welcomed the breakthrough. Global oil prices, which had spiked amidst threats to the Strait of Hormuz, showed signs of stabilisation following the announcement. Mediators from Egypt and Turkey, who supported the Pakistani-led efforts, have urged both nations to use the 14-day window to secure a lasting regional settlement.