In a dramatic late-night development amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had agreed to suspend planned bombing operations against Iran for a period of two weeks. This decision followed direct appeals from Pakistan's leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, who urged restraint to prevent further escalation. President Trump framed the suspension as part of a broader push toward a ceasefire, describing it as a "double sided CEASEFIRE" conditional on Iran's reopening of the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.
This announcement came on the 40th day of a significant military conflict between the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other, which began on February 28, 2026. The conflict was initially triggered by coordinated airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as well as several top Iranian military commanders. These strikes marked a severe escalation in hostilities, leading to a series of military actions and diplomatic fallout across the region.
Following President Trump's announcement, Iran's Supreme National Security Council issued a statement declaring what it described as a "historic and crushing defeat" of the United States and the Israeli regime. According to the Iranian council, the United States has been compelled to accept a 10-point proposal put forward by Tehran. This proposal includes several significant concessions and demands, which Iran claims represent a major victory and a turning point in the conflict.
The key points of Iran's 10-point proposal, as outlined by the Supreme National Security Council, are as follows:
1. Non-aggression against Iran, ensuring no future hostile actions by the United States. 2. Continued Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments and regional security. 3. Recognition of Iran's right to enrich uranium, affirming Tehran's nuclear activities under international norms. 4. Removal of all primary and secondary sanctions imposed on Iran by the United States and its allies. 5. Revocation of all United Nations Security Council and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolutions against Iran. 6. Compensation for damages caused to Iran during the conflict. 7. Withdrawal of all U.S. combat troops from the region, effectively ending American military presence in proximity to Iran. 8. An immediate end to hostilities across all fronts, including those involving Iran's support for the Islamic Resistance movements, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Iranian statement emphasized that the so-called "enemy," referring to the United States and Israel, had suffered a "clear and undeniable defeat" and now "sees no way forward but to submit to the will of the great nation of Iran and the honorable Axis of Resistance." This declaration was broadcast by Press TV, Iran's official news agency, highlighting the Iranian government's narrative of victory and resilience.
President Trump's decision to suspend bombing operations was publicly shared via his social media platform, Truth Social. In his post, Trump stated: "I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks," signaling a temporary halt to military hostilities. He stressed that this pause was contingent upon Iran's reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which had been closed or restricted due to the ongoing conflict. Trump characterized this reopening as an essential step toward easing tensions and advancing de-escalation efforts in the region. The U.S. president's message conveyed a willingness to step back and seek a diplomatic solution, at least temporarily.
Pakistan's role was highlighted as a key factor influencing this development. The Pakistani Prime Minister and Army Chief reportedly engaged in direct discussions with President Trump, urging restraint and emphasizing the risks of a wider regional war. Their diplomatic intervention appears to have contributed significantly to the decision to impose the two-week bombing suspension.
The backdrop of this announcement is the intense and rapid escalation that began with the February 28 airstrikes, which shocked the international community by targeting Iran's highest political and military leadership. The killing of Ayatollah Khamenei, a pivotal figure in Iranian politics and ideology, marked a profound shift in the conflict's dynamics. It led to retaliatory actions and a series of confrontations involving various state and non-state actors aligned with Iran.
The United States and Israel had launched these initial strikes citing security concerns and the need to disrupt Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional influence. However, the subsequent Iranian response, bolstered by the support of allied groups in Lebanon and elsewhere, turned the conflict into a broader confrontation involving multiple fronts.
Iran's insistence on control over the Strait of Hormuz is particularly significant. The narrow waterway is a critical chokepoint for global oil transportation, with a substantial portion of the world's petroleum passing through it. Iran's closure or threat to close the strait during the conflict had raised alarm across international markets and governments due to potential disruptions in energy supplies.
The U.S. acceptance of Iranian control over the strait, as claimed by Tehran, represents a major shift in regional power dynamics. Additionally, the recognition of Iran's right to enrich uranium and the removal of sanctions signal a substantial diplomatic concession from Washington, which had long maintained a hardline stance on Iran's nuclear program and economic restrictions.
The revocation of all UN Security Council and IAEA resolutions against Iran would also mark a significant change, potentially restoring Iran's standing in international forums and lifting restrictions that have constrained its nuclear activities.
Compensation for damages and withdrawal of U.S. combat troops further underscore the comprehensive nature of Iran's demands and the breadth of the proposed agreement.
While the Iranian government has portrayed these developments as a decisive victory, it remains to be seen how other international actors, including the United States, Israel, and regional powers, will respond to the unfolding situation.
The announcement of the two-week ceasefire window creates a temporary pause in hostilities, offering an opportunity for diplomatic engagement and potential negotiation. The condition that Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz is a critical prerequisite for this de-escalation, as control over the strait has been a focal point of conflict.
The prospects for a sustained ceasefire or lasting peace remain uncertain, especially given the deep-rooted geopolitical tensions, historical animosities, and the involvement of multiple state and non-state actors with competing interests.
Nonetheless, the current developments represent a notable shift from active combat to a tentative ceasefire framework, influenced significantly by diplomatic interventions from Pakistan and the willingness of the U.S. administration to reconsider its military strategy in the region.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community will be closely monitoring whether the ceasefire holds, how Iran and the United States implement the terms of the proposed agreement, and what broader implications this will have for regional stability and global security.
In summary, after nearly forty days of intense conflict initiated by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that eliminated Iran's Supreme Leader and key military figures, a sudden late-night announcement by President Donald Trump has paused planned U.S. bombings on Iran for two weeks. This suspension, urged by Pakistan's top leadership, aims to de-escalate tensions through a "double sided CEASEFIRE" contingent on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Simultaneously, Iran's Supreme National Security Council declared a historic victory, stating that the United States has accepted a comprehensive 10-point proposal that ensures Iranian sovereignty over strategic assets, nuclear rights, sanctions relief, compensation, and the withdrawal of American troops. While Iran hails this as a crushing defeat for the U.S. and Israel, the coming days will determine if this ceasefire can pave the way for a broader resolution or merely a temporary pause in a long-standing conflict.