After 40 days of war, both the US and Iran agreed to a two week temporary ceasefire. Under the mediation of Pakistan, US and Iran have agreed to halt hostilities for two weeks and to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz passage. This moment of de-escalation comes hours after Trump made a provocative threat that ‘a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again’. Although what the actual ceasefire agreement entails is unknown as both sides have claimed ‘victory’ and have given their version of the deal, which is quite different from each other. Meanwhile, Israel has supported the decision while maintaining that the ceasefire does not include Lebanon. The Israeli army continued its strikes in the country, killing several civilians and issuing a new evacuation order for the southern city of Tyre.
Core Elements of the Agreement
US President Donald J. Trump has stated he would suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for two weeks for a complete, immediate and safe opening of Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s foreign minister has also confirmed that ‘our powerful armed forces will cease their defensive operation if attacks against Iran are halted’.
Trump earlier said that Iran’s 10 Point Plan was workable, although no details from the plan has been shared by the United States. He recently shared that ‘many of the 15 points have already been agreed to’ which refers to the US 15 point plan that Iran had earlier rejected.
Meanwhile, the Iranian media has reported on the possible 10-point plan which includes a permanent end of war, lifting the international sanctions on Iran and withdrawing US forces from the region. It includes a toll of 2 million dollars per vessel passing through the Strait of Hormuz to be shared between Oman and Iran for post war reconstruction. It also states that aggression must stop against the ‘axis of resistance’ which includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Palestine and the Houthis in Yemen, among others.
Statements from US Leadership
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth discussed the ceasefire earlier today, claiming they had won the war with Iran and had largely destroyed its military. US Vice President JD Vance had also stated that ‘the military objectives of the US have been completed’ while Trump posted ‘It’s a big day for World peace’. He added, ‘Iran can start the reconstruction process. We’ll be loading up with supplies of all kinds and just “hangn’ around” to make sure everything goes well’. He also announced that they would be “securing Hormuz Strait in a “joint venture” with Iran, while Tehran said Iran’s military will coordinate the passage of ships”.
Can the Truce Hold?
While the ceasefire has been announced, Israel has continued its military aggression over Lebanon. Missile alerts were also issued in gulf countries of UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain. Israel has also reported strikes. Today, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that it intercepted and destroyed a Hermes 900 drone over Lar, a city in the southwestern province of Fars and that any presence of US or Israeli enemy aircraft even without conducting military operations, would be considered a violation of the ceasefire agreement. It remains uncertain whether this fragile ceasefire will hold, or if renewed aggression will continue across West Asia.
