United States President Donald Trump has announced a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran following talks with Pakistani leaders.
The US president said the decision came after discussions with Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir, who urged him to halt planned military strikes on Iran.
Trump said the temporary suspension of hostilities is conditional on Iran agreeing to the “complete, immediate, and safe opening” of the Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as a “double-sided ceasefire”.
“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… I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” Trump said.
He added that the pause in military action follows what he described as the achievement of major US military objectives, as well as significant progress in negotiations toward a long-term peace agreement.
“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,” he said.
Trump also revealed that the US had received a 10-point proposal from Iran, which he said provides a workable basis for negotiations.
According to him, most contentious issues between both countries have already been resolved, and the two-week window would allow for the finalisation of a comprehensive agreement.
“Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two-week period will allow the agreement to be finalised and consummated,” he added.
Trump said it was an honour to be close to resolving what he described as a longstanding issue, noting that the move could pave the way for broader peace in the Middle East.