After more than 5 weeks of intensifying conflict that rattled global markets and triggered a major oil crisis, The United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, brokered just hours before a critical deadline set by US President Donald Trump. The agreement, reached at the eleventh hour, temporarily halted hostilities that had threatened to spiral into a wider regional war in the Middle East.
Both Washington and Tehran have portrayed the truce as a strategic victory, even as deep divisions remain over the terms of a permanent settlement. The ceasefire is being viewed as a crucial window for diplomacy, with further negotiations expected to shape the future of the conflict.
Strait of Hormuz Reopens Under Key Condition
A central feature of the agreement is the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. President Trump said the ceasefire was contingent on Iran agreeing to restore access to the waterway.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Tehran’s military would coordinate safe passage for vessels during the ceasefire period. Reports also suggest that Iran and Oman may impose transit fees on ships passing through the strait, with proceeds potentially directed toward reconstruction efforts.
Competing Claims of Victory
President Trump described the agreement as a “total and complete victory,” emphasizing that the US would assist in managing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. He also indicated that the ceasefire provides time to finalize a broader agreement, though he stopped short of clarifying whether earlier threats of military escalation would be revisited if negotiations fail.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council declared the ceasefire an “enduring defeat” for the US, asserting that Washington had effectively accepted Tehran’s 10-point proposal as the basis for negotiations. Iranian officials framed the outcome as a diplomatic success that forced concessions from the US.
Frameworks for Future Negotiations
The ceasefire agreement hinges on competing proposals from both sides. Iran’s 10-point plan includes provisions such as regulating traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, halting attacks on Iran and its allies, withdrawing US forces from the region, lifting sanctions, unfreezing assets, and securing a binding United Nations resolution for long-term peace. The proposal also claims US acceptance, in principle, of Iran’s right to nuclear enrichment.
On the other hand, Washington has put forward a 15-point proposal, which reportedly calls for Iran to commit to abandoning nuclear weapons, surrender highly enriched uranium, limit its defense capabilities, end support for regional proxy groups, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has previously described several of these demands as excessive and unrealistic.
Pakistan Steps In as Mediator
Diplomatic efforts are now shifting toward formal negotiations, with Pakistan playing a key mediating role. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited delegations from both the US and Iran to Islamabad for talks scheduled later this week. The two-week ceasefire is intended to create space for these discussions and potentially pave the way for a comprehensive peace agreement.
US officials have confirmed preparations for in-person negotiations, signaling cautious optimism about the diplomatic process. However, the outcome remains uncertain given the significant differences between the two sides.
Israel Joins Ceasefire, Lebanon Excluded
Israel has agreed to suspend its strikes against Iran as part of the ceasefire, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. However, Israel has clarified that Lebanon is not included in the agreement, contradicting earlier statements from Pakistan.
This exclusion was underscored by continued violence in Lebanon, where an airstrike reportedly killed eight people in the southern region. Israeli forces also issued evacuation warnings to residents in parts of the coastal city of Tyre, highlighting the fragile and incomplete nature of the ceasefire.
Uncertain Path Ahead
While the ceasefire has brought temporary relief to a region on edge, significant challenges remain. The conflict has already disrupted global supply chains, driven up energy prices, and heightened geopolitical tensions.
The coming weeks will be critical as negotiators attempt to bridge gaps on key issues, including nuclear policy, sanctions relief, and regional security dynamics. Whether the ceasefire evolves into a lasting peace agreement or merely pauses a volatile conflict will depend on the success of the upcoming talks.