Trump announces two-week conditional ceasefire with Iran, calls it ‘big day for world peace’
Washington, April 8. US President Donald Trump on April 8 declared a two-week conditional ceasefire with Iran, describing the development as a “big day for world peace” and signalling a pause in planned American military escalation linked to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran had “had enough” and was ready for the de-escalation, adding that Tehran could now begin reconstruction. He also indicated that the United States would assist in easing the heavy maritime traffic that has built up in the Strait of Hormuz and that American forces would remain in the region temporarily to ensure stability.
Trump wrote that the United States would help manage the shipping congestion in the strategic waterway and supply assistance while “just hangin’ around” to ensure the situation progressed smoothly. He expressed confidence that the development could usher in what he called a “Golden Age of the Middle East”.
The announcement came just 90 minutes before Trump’s self-imposed 8 pm EST deadline for Iran to reach an understanding, following intense backchannel diplomacy. A day earlier, he had indicated that he would suspend further escalation for two weeks if Iran agreed to reopen the key shipping route.
According to Trump, the pause was possible because the US had already achieved its primary military objectives and had made significant progress towards what he described as a “definitive agreement” for long-term peace with Iran and the broader region. He said Washington had received a “10-point proposal” from Tehran that offered a workable basis for negotiations, with most contentious issues already addressed.
The ceasefire, however, is conditional on Iran ensuring the “complete, immediate, and safe” reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, whose closure has severely disrupted global oil supplies and driven up energy prices.
Iran signalled tentative acceptance of the arrangement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would halt its defensive operations if attacks against Iran ceased. He added that for two weeks, safe maritime passage through the Strait would be possible through coordination with Iran’s armed forces, subject to technical considerations.
A White House official also indicated that Israel had agreed to the temporary pause, though specific details were not disclosed.
The ceasefire followed a sharp escalation earlier in the day, when Trump warned of catastrophic consequences if Iran failed to reach a deal. The Strait of Hormuz has remained at the centre of the crisis, with its strategic importance to global energy shipments heightening international concern.
