Iran consents to two weeks of safe passage across the Hormuz Strait “if attacks halted.”
Iran announced on Wednesday, April 8, that it would ensure safe passage for marine traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz for a period of two weeks. The break would be used for negotiations with the United States to terminate the war, which would begin in Islamabad on Friday.
Less than two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or risk extensive strikes on its civilian infrastructure, US President Donald Trump announced that he has agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X that “safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible for a period of two weeks via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations.”
In a second statement, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council stated that the talks may be “extended by mutual agreement of the parties” but were scheduled to last two weeks.
Iranian state television broadcast a statement asserting that Trump has agreed to Iran’s demands for a war end, calling it a “humiliating retreat” on the part of the US president.
Trump’s social media announcement marked a sudden change from his unprecedented warning earlier in the day that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” if his demands were not fulfilled.
According to Trump, the last-minute accord, which was brokered with Pakistan acting as a mediator, was contingent upon Iran agreeing to lift its blockade of petrol and oil supplies via the strait, which normally handles around one-fifth of all oil exports worldwide.Trump said on his Truth Social platform, “This will be a two-sided CEASEFIRE.” “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.”
Israel has also consented to the two-week ceasefire and to halt its bombing campaign against Iran, according to two White House sources. The Israeli military claimed to have detected missiles fired from Iran in the direction of Israel just minutes after Trump’s announcement.
Trump, who has made several threats in recent weeks before retreating, asserted that there has been movement between the two parties.
He predicted that an agreement would be “finalised and consummated” during the two-week ceasefire, citing Iran’s 10-point plan as a “workable basis” for talks.
Iran has said that the easing of all sanctions and the United States’ acceptance of Tehran’s ongoing sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear enrichment program are key components of its strategy to end the war.
The role of Pakistan as a mediator
According to Trump, the ceasefire is predicated on discussions with Field Marshal Asim Muni and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who asked the US to “hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran.”
He said, “subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz.”
“As President of the United States of America and on behalf of the Middle Eastern countries, it is an honour to have this long-standing issue almost resolved. I appreciate you taking the time to consider this.
Pakistan has confirmed that an emergency ceasefire, including in Lebanon and other areas, has been agreed to by the US, Iran, and their allies.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited the leaders of both nations to Islamabad for more talks toward a “conclusive agreement” and expressed his “deepest gratitude” to them in a statement on X.In addition to continuing to be constructively involved in advancing the cause of peace and stability, both parties have demonstrated exceptional insight and understanding. Prime Minister Sharif continued, “We sincerely hope that the ‘Islamabad Talks’ succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in the coming days.”
ABRUPT TURNAROUND
Trump’s sudden reversal of course concluded a fast-paced day that was dominated by his threat to demolish all Iranian bridges and power plants unless Tehran reopened the strait. This threat unnerved world leaders, shook international financial and energy markets, and sparked widespread condemnation, including from Pope Leo and the head of the United Nations.
As Trump’s deadline of 8 p.m. EDT (8 a.m., Wednesday, Singapore time) approached, US and Israeli strikes on Iran escalated, targeting a petrochemical factory, an airport, and railroad and road bridges. Targets on Kharg Island, the location of Iran’s principal oil export facility, were bombed by US forces.
Iran responded by announcing that it will no longer refrain from attacking the infrastructure of its Gulf neighbours and claiming to have launched new attacks on a massive Saudi petrochemical facility and a ship in the Gulf. A Reuters witness in the capital of Qatar reported hearing booms late on Tuesday night in Doha.
According to figures from government sources and human rights organisations, the conflict, which is currently in its sixth week, has killed over 5,000 people in about a dozen nations, including over 1,600 civilians in Iran.
Nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supply normally passes through the strait, and its closure has drastically raised oil prices, increasing the likelihood of a global economic slump or perhaps recession.
Trump’s support ratings have fallen to their lowest point ever as the US midterm election campaign intensifies, putting his Republican Party in danger of losing control of Congress. According to polls, a significant majority of Americans are dissatisfied with the rising cost of petrol and are against the war.
Iran fired missiles, according to Israel.
Israel’s military issued a warning early on Wednesday that Iran had fired missiles toward it, just minutes after Trump’s declaration.Missiles fired from Iran targeting the State of Israel’s territory were detected by the Israeli army. The military stated on its official Telegram channel that “defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat.”
According to AFP journalists, explosions were heard throughout the occupied West Bank from Jerusalem to Jericho.
People in the areas impacted by the impending missile warnings were advised by the Israeli military to seek shelter in bomb shelters.