US and Iran Agree to Provisional Ceasefire After Pakistan-Led Intervention
In a dramatic turn of events, the United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week conditional ceasefire, following a last-minute diplomatic intervention spearheaded by Pakistan. This development cancels an ultimatum from former US President Donald Trump, who had threatened Iran with widespread destruction if it did not surrender.
Trump's Ultimatum and Ceasefire Announcement
The ceasefire agreement was announced by Donald Trump on Tuesday evening, less than two hours before his self-imposed 8pm Eastern time deadline to bomb Iran's power plants and bridges. Earlier in the day, Trump had posted on Truth Social, stating, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will." Reports indicated that B-52 bombers were en route to Iran prior to the ceasefire announcement.
Trump revealed that the agreement was mediated through Pakistan, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif requesting the two-week peace period to "allow diplomacy to run its course." In a social media post, Trump wrote, "subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks." He expressed optimism that during this time, the US and Iran could negotiate over a 10-point proposal from Tehran to finalize an armistice.
Iran's Response and Regional Implications
Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, quickly issued a statement confirming Iran's agreement to the ceasefire. He stated, "For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordinating with Iran's Armed Forces." This strategic waterway, which handles a fifth of the global energy supply, had seen traffic slow to a trickle during the conflict.
According to Axios, Israel will also adhere to the two-week ceasefire, with an Israeli official noting it would take effect once the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz ceases. The conflict has lasted five weeks, with little indication of Iran surrendering or releasing its hold on the strait.
International Reactions and Legal Concerns
Trump's threats had drawn sharp criticism from international quarters. Amir-Saeid Iravani, Iran's representative at the UN, accused Trump of "incitement to war crimes – and potentially genocide." During a UN Security Council session, Iravani warned that Iran would exercise its right to self-defence if attacked.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, through his spokesperson, reminded that attacking civilian infrastructure is prohibited under international law. Trump, however, dismissed concerns about being labeled a war criminal, stating he was "not at all" worried.
Recent Military Actions and Escalations
In the hours leading up to the ceasefire, Israel conducted attacks on Iranian infrastructure. Iranian state media reported that a rail bridge in Kashan was bombed, resulting in two fatalities, while Israel confirmed launching "a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting dozens of infrastructure sites." Additional bridges near Karaj, Qom, and Tabriz were hit, and power outages occurred in Tehran after substations and transmission lines were targeted.
The US also struck 50 military targets on Iran's Kharg Island, home to its main oil export terminal. In retaliation, Iran's Revolutionary Guards attacked Saudi Arabia's Jubail petrochemical complex, responding to earlier strikes on an Iranian facility.
This ceasefire marks a temporary de-escalation in a conflict that has raised global alarms over potential war crimes and regional stability. The next two weeks will be critical for diplomatic efforts to achieve a lasting peace agreement.
