They agreed to negotiate, a few hours before Donald Trump’s ultimatum. The United States and Iran agreed late Tuesday evening for a two-week ceasefire in exchange for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
After over five weeks of Israeli-American strikes on Iran, Tehran indicated that talks will begin from Friday, April 9 with Washington. These discussions will take place in Pakistan, a mediator in the Middle East conflict.
“Following discussions with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Marshal Asim Munir, during which they asked me to suspend the planned military intervention tonight against Iran, and on the condition that the Islamic Republic of Iran accepts the TOTAL, IMMEDIATE, and SECURE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend bombings and attacks against Iran for a period of two weeks,” wrote the American president on his Truth Social platform.
The latest in a series of ultimatums issued by Donald Trump to Iran and repeatedly postponed gave Tehran until 8:00 p.m. Washington time to reopen the strategic maritime passage through which 20% of global crude oil used to transit before the war. “It will be a mutual CEASEFIRE!” added the American president, stating that the United States “have already achieved and surpassed all our military objectives” since the start of the American-Israeli strikes on February 28.
He also mentioned “very advanced” discussions for a “long-term” peace agreement with Iran, which proposed “a 10-point proposal” that “constitutes a viable basis for negotiation.” The US leader hailed a “total and complete victory” for Washington.
Significant drop in oil prices
On the Iranian side, leaders confirmed that they agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for “a period of two weeks” if attacks against Iran stop, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X. “It was decided at the highest level that Iran will engage in negotiations with the American party in Islamabad for a period of two weeks (…),” added the Supreme National Security Council in a statement.
“It is specified that this does not mean the end of the war, and Iran will only accept the cessation of hostilities when negotiations have succeeded,” he added, noting that these two weeks could be extended “in agreement with both parties.”
According to Iranian media, Tehran’s plan involves Washington accepting uranium enrichment and the lifting of all sanctions. The announcement of an agreement between Washington and Tehran caused a significant drop in oil prices, which quickly fell by nearly 18%, dropping below $100 per barrel.
If Iran, which has almost entirely blocked the strait since the war began, does not unblock it, “an entire civilization will die tonight,” said the American president on Tuesday morning, adding: “I do not want this to happen, but it will probably be the case.”
Donald Trump is “alone” in knowing “what he is going to do” in Iran, Karoline Leavitt said, as political opponents of the president interpreted his statements, riddled with contradictions, as evidence that he would be showing signs of dementia.
