US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he had agreed to suspend planned bombing of Iran for two weeks as part of a proposed ceasefire, on the condition that Tehran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz.
“Subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate and safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” Trump said in a post issued just an hour before his deadline for military action.
“This will be a two-sided ceasefire,” he added.
Trump said the decision followed significant progress in negotiations, noting that US military objectives had already been achieved.
“The reason for doing so is that we have 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.
He also revealed that Washington had received a 10-point proposal from Tehran, describing it as “a workable basis” for further negotiations.
The announcement came after a last-minute diplomatic push led by Pakistan to avert large-scale US strikes, with Trump earlier warning that “a whole civilization” could be at risk if no deal was reached.
“Almost all of the major points of contention between the United States and Iran have been agreed, but a two-week period will allow the agreement to be finalised,” he added.
AFP
