Trump agrees to Iran ceasefire
Deal aims to reopen Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said he agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face what the president called the death of, quote, "a whole civilization."
The 11th-hour agreement was the latest example of Trump backing away after making threats in recent weeks. Iranian state TV flashed an announcement claiming that Trump had accepted Iran's terms for ending the war.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said the last-minute deal was subject to Iran's agreement to the quote "complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz." Trump also said Iran had submitted a 10-point plan which he called a "workable basis on which to negotiate."
The waterway typically handles about a fifth of the world's oil shipments but Iran had closed it in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes, sending oil prices spiking and raising the risk of a worldwide economic downturn.
Minutes after Trump's post, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said in a statement the Strait would reopen, but in coordination with Iranian armed forces.
Iran state media said talks, which have been mediated by Pakistan, would begin this Friday in Islamabad.
