U.S. and Iran Agree to Conditional Two-Week Ceasefire, Hormuz Strait Reopening

 

Addis Ababa, April 8, 2026 (ENA) —U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States has agreed to suspend military operations against Iran for two weeks, contingent on Tehran reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on social media, Trump said the pause in hostilities is “subject to” Iran ensuring the “complete, immediate and safe” reopening of the waterway, a critical route for global oil shipments.

“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 long-term peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East,” Trump stated.

He added that Washington has received a “10-point proposal” from Iran that could serve as a workable basis for negotiations.

Trump described the move as a “double-sided ceasefire,” indicating that both sides would halt hostilities during the two-week period.

The proposal was reportedly facilitated by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who urged both sides to de-escalate and use the window for diplomatic talks.

Earlier Tuesday, Sharif publicly called on Trump to extend his deadline for a deal and requested Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as a goodwill gesture.

The announcement followed a sharp escalation in rhetoric.

Trump had earlier warned that Iran’s “whole civilization will die tonight” if a deal was not reached by an 8:00 p.m. ET deadline. He also said U.S. plans could target key infrastructure, including bridges and power plants.

According to U.S. officials cited in media reports, American forces carried out overnight strikes on military targets near Iran’s Kharg Island, while reportedly avoiding major oil facilities. Additional reports indicated that several railway lines across Iran were also hit.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi responded by signaling conditional cooperation.

He said Iran would allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire period under coordination with its armed forces and would suspend “defensive operations” if attacks cease.

Araghchi also confirmed that Iran is prepared to enter negotiations with the United States in Islamabad.

However, he emphasized that the temporary ceasefire does not mark the end of the conflict and that key details remain to be resolved based on Iran’s proposed framework.