Donald Trump has been accused of a dramatic U-turn after threatening Iran with 'annihilation' only to agree to a ceasefire hours later. The US president had warned that Iranian civilisation 'will die tonight' if its ruler refused to open the Strait of Hormuz, but then announced a 14-day truce after Tehran presented a 'workable' plan.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed the US had 'met and exceeded all military objectives' and hailed a 'golden age' for the Middle East. He wrote: 'A big day for World Peace! Iran wants it to happen, they've had enough!'
The reversal came amid high tensions, with Democratic lawmakers and Pope Leo XIV condemning Trump's initial threat as a 'moral failure' and a violation of international law. The Pope said strikes on civilian infrastructure would be 'truly unacceptable'.
Critics pointed to a pattern of 'Trump Always Chickens Out', citing previous policy reversals on tariffs, Greenland and China. Senator Chris Murphy said the ceasefire gave Tehran 'control' of the strait and was 'a history-changing win for Iran'.
