US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) said a pause in fighting with Iran marked a major step towards easing tensions, as both sides moved towards a two-week ceasefire and possible negotiations.
The announcement comes after days of escalation in the region, with Washington halting its bombing campaign and Tehran indicating it would also step back if attacks stop. The pause is being seen as a narrow but significant opening for diplomacy.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the moment as a turning point.
“A big day for World Peace! Iran wants it to happen, they’ve had enough! Likewise, so has everyone else! The United States of America will be helping with the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz. There will be lots of positive action! Big money will be made. Iran can start the reconstruction process. We’ll be loading up with supplies of all kinds, and just “hangin’ around” in order to make sure that everything goes well. I feel confident that it will. Just like we are experiencing in the U.S., this could be the Golden Age of the Middle East!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he said.
He added that the US would remain present to support stability, including ensuring smooth movement through the Strait of Hormuz.
Ceasefire tied to Hormuz access and negotiation framework
Trump earlier said the decision to pause strikes followed conversations with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, who urged restraint.
“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!” Trump said.
He also claimed that the US had already achieved its key military goals and that a long-term peace arrangement was within reach.
“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,” he added.
Iran signals conditional pause in military action
Iran responded positively to the proposal. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would halt its operations if it is not attacked.
He confirmed that, for two weeks, ships would be allowed safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with Iranian forces.
“Considering the request by the U.S. for negotiations based on its 15-point proposal as well as 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,” Araghchi wrote on X.
Officials on both sides indicated that the pause could lead to broader talks, with a possible peace summit being discussed in Islamabad.