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A fragile pause in the Iran war has been declared after 40 days of escalating conflict, with former US president Donald Trump announcing a two-week ceasefire and calling it a “complete victory,” even as violence continues across the region.
The breakthrough came just hours after Trump warned that “a whole civilisation will die” unless Iran reopened the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Facing that deadline, Tehran agreed to allow safe maritime passage, prompting Washington to suspend planned attacks.
In a phone call shortly after the announcement, Trump said the US had achieved “everything that we wanted to do militarily,” describing the outcome as a victory “in every sense.”
Iran signals cooperation but says war not over
Iran confirmed it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz for the duration of the ceasefire, coordinating with its armed forces to ensure safe passage through one of the world’s most important energy routes. The move quickly eased pressure on global markets, sending oil prices down and lifting Asian stocks.
However, Iranian officials emphasized that the agreement is temporary. Tehran has submitted a 10-point proposal, reportedly covering sanctions, nuclear issues, and maritime security, but warned that this does not mean the war is over.
Diplomacy shifts to Pakistan
Efforts to turn the ceasefire into a lasting agreement are now focused on Pakistan, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has offered to host talks starting Friday in Islamabad.
Sharif, who helped mediate the deal, had earlier urged Trump to “allow diplomacy to run its course” and delay further military action.
Regional actors have cautiously welcomed the pause. Oman called for stronger efforts to “end the crisis at its roots,” signaling that major diplomatic challenges remain.
Ceasefire tested by continued strikes
Despite the agreement, fighting has not fully stopped. Missile interceptions were reported overnight in several Gulf states, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, underscoring how unstable the situation remains.
Israel has backed the ceasefire with Iran but made clear it does not apply to Lebanon, where it continues operations against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. Israeli strikes and evacuation warnings in southern Lebanon highlight the risk of the conflict spreading further.
A pause, not yet a peace
The ceasefire marks the latest shift in a series of deadlines and threats from Trump, who had repeatedly warned of major military action before stepping back to allow negotiations.
Markets have responded positively and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is expected to resume, but oil prices remain well above prewar levels and supply concerns continue.
