Donald Trump retreated from his threat to annihilate Iran last night, opting for a two-week ceasefire to facilitate ongoing discussions. This pause in airstrikes came after the Pakistani Prime Minister’s public appeal for more time to foster diplomatic talks with Iran.
Many view Pakistan’s involvement as a beneficial exit strategy for President Trump, who found himself ensnared in a conflict without a clear resolution plan, resulting in surging oil prices due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Prior to the 8 pm deadline, Trump had intensified pressure on Iran to agree to a deal to end the conflict, warning of total destruction of the Iranian civilization in case of disagreement. The White House confirmed Israel’s agreement to the ceasefire, with Iran subsequently allowing ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian military coordination for the next two weeks.
This agreement grants Iran temporary control over the Strait, a privilege not held before the conflict, at least for the ceasefire duration. Abbas Araghchi outlined that safe passage through the Strait would be feasible with Iran’s Armed Forces coordination and technical considerations for a two-week period.
Preceding the conflict, there were no technical hindrances as over 100 ships daily navigated the waters in Iranian and Omani territories under a longstanding traffic system. It remains to be seen if Iran will impose charges on ships, as was practiced during the conflict.
Trump, announcing the extended deadline and ceasefire on Truth Social, referenced a proposed “10-point plan” by Iran as a viable basis for negotiations. It remains uncertain if this plan differs from Iran’s previous proposal, which Trump previously deemed insufficient.
Known for his grand declarations followed by eleventh-hour retreats, Trump’s decision tonight is likely to reinforce this pattern. Trump emphasized that any ceasefire hinges on Iran ensuring safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait.
Following discussions with Pakistani officials, Trump agreed to suspend military actions against Iran for two weeks, contingent on Iran’s agreement to promptly and safely open the Strait of Hormuz. The ceasefire aims to finalize and implement the 10-point plan.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister had earlier urged Trump to allow a two-week ceasefire to advance peace talks and requested Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz during this period. The plea highlighted the progress of diplomatic efforts towards resolving the Middle East conflict for enduring peace and stability in the region.
An inadvertent early tweet draft titled “Draft – Pakistan’s PM Message on X” raised suspicions of external influence on the message.