Iran and United States Agree to Two‑Week Ceasefire, Setting Stage for Pakistan‑Hosted Talks

Celebrations erupted in Tehran after officials announced a two‑week ceasefire with the United States, creating a window for diplomatic talks aimed at de‑escalating the regional conflict.

Iran consented to suspend hostilities, with negotiations slated to begin on Friday in Pakistan. President Donald Trump pledged to halt military operations provided Tehran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor. Iran’s foreign minister added that safe passage through the strait will be coordinated with Iranian armed forces throughout the truce.

The breakthrough followed a direct appeal by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who urged Trump to extend his negotiation deadline and called on Iran to restore strait access.

Iranian officials framed the ceasefire as a “victory”, asserting that their preconditions for talks were accepted and that Trump’s acknowledgment of progress on key disputes validates Tehran’s stance. They emphasized that national unity, patience, and military resilience were decisive factors.

In their assessment, the earlier U.S.–Israeli strategy of targeting Iranian leadership failed, while the ensuing conflict demonstrated Iran’s capacity to sustain prolonged military operations.

Trump, speaking to AFP, described the agreement as a “total and complete victory”, insisting that Iran’s uranium stockpiles would be “perfectly taken care of” under the deal and crediting China for facilitating the negotiations.

Despite the truce, Democratic lawmakers announced they will continue impeachment efforts against Trump, condemning his rhetoric toward Iran as “genocidal” and “unhinged.”