U.S. President Donald Trump announced on the 7th, in response to a request from the Pakistani Prime Minister, that he would halt airstrikes against Iran for two weeks. Until that morning, Trump had urged Iran to end the conflict, referring to the “extinction of civilization,” and shared this update on his social media platform “Truth Social” just one and a half hours before the 8 p.m. deadline on the 7th (9 a.m. Korea Time on the 8th). Trump mentioned that the two-week ceasefire would take effect if Iran agrees to the “immediate and safe opening” of the Strait of Hormuz. Should Iran make a final decision, the two nations, which were moving toward disaster, would have more time to reach an agreement. The New York Times (NYT) reported that Iran also “agreed to this.”
Previously, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the mediator, posted on X (formerly Twitter), “To let diplomacy proceed, I sincerely ask President Trump to extend the deadline by two weeks.” He also asked Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz in “goodwill” for a period of two weeks. Trump stated around 6:32 p.m. that day, “I agree to halt the bombing and attacks on Iran for a period of two weeks,” following discussions with Pakistan’s prime minister and military chief, mentioning that the pause would begin “provided the Islamic Republic of Iran agrees to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz.” He added, “This will be a two-sided CEASEFIRE!” Earlier that day, Trump had threatened a large-scale strike on key Iranian facilities, stating, “A whole civilization will die tonight,” although the White House denied it, and some U.S. groups had even considered scenarios involving nuclear use.
Trump also mentioned that he had received a ten-point proposal from Iran, which he called “a feasible foundation for negotiations,” and clarified that this was achievable because “we have already met and surpassed all military objectives, and are significantly advanced on a definitive agreement regarding long-term peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East.” He asserted that “most of the previous points of disagreement have been resolved between the United States and Iran,” likely referring to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. It is known that the U.S. introduced a ceasefire plan last month, which consisted of 15 items including abandoning the nuclear program, easing sanctions, and restricting the range and number of missiles. Trump stated, “A two-week period will enable the agreement to be finalized and completed,” and added, “On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the countries of the Middle East, it is an honor to be close to resolving this long-term issue.” A senior White House source told CNN, “Israel has also agreed to suspend airstrikes.”
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