April 7 (UPI) — The United States and Iran reached a two-week cease-fire Tuesday evening, less than two hours before President Donald Trump’s deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face catastrophic consequences.
Trump announced the Pakistan-mediated cease-fire on his Truth Social platform at 6:32 p.m. EDT, saying he had agreed to halt attacks on Iran for two weeks on the condition that Tehran reopen the strategic waterway.
“This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE!” Trump wrote in the statement.
Both Iran and the United States claimed victory, with Trump saying U.S. military objectives had already been met and Iran’s Supreme National Security Council congratulating the Iranian people in a statement carried by state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting for defending their nation against “aggressive enemies.”
The two sides were engaged in talks Tuesday, seeking a deal ahead of Trump’s 8 p.m. EDT deadline.
Trump had threatened Iran since mid-March with widespread destruction to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The trade route has been closed since March 1, threatening to plunge numerous countries into an energy crisis and driving up U.S. gas prices.
The deadline was repeatedly extended as Trump signaled progress in negotiations. But earlier Tuesday, using his most bellicose language to date, Trump warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” unless Iran agreed to a deal.
“This is a victory for the United States that President Trump and our incredible military made happen,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
“The success of our military created maximum leverage, allowing President Trump and the team to engage in tough negotiations that have now created an opening for a diplomatic solution and long-term peace.”
This is a developing story.
About the Author
