We knew about his invisible communication, his numerous reversals. Once again, Donald Trump dramatically changes course on his war initiated in Iran: 90 minutes before the expiration of his ultimatum to Tehran, the American president announces, on Tuesday, a two-week ceasefire, after Pakistani mediation.
Donald Trump asserts that it is “a total and complete victory” for the United States. It will be a “reciprocal ceasefire,” promises the American president, provided Tehran accepts the complete, immediate and secure opening of the Strait of Hormuz. In a new message on his Truth Social network, Wednesday morning, Donald Trump states that “the United States of America will help ease traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.” “Iran can start the reconstruction process,” he continues.
Negotiations to come
His tone has changed significantly as on Tuesday he threatened to make the Iranian “civilization” disappear. He also claims that the United States has already achieved and surpassed their military objectives and that there has been considerable progress towards a definitive agreement for long-term peace. For him, the ten-point plan submitted by Iran is “a viable basis for negotiation.” This plan includes, among other things, acceptance of uranium enrichment, but according to Donald Trump, this issue “will be perfectly resolved.” This is a key point of the conflict that Washington claims to be leading to ensure that Tehran cannot develop nuclear weapons.
Negotiations are set to begin on Friday in Pakistan. The United States are even considering in-person talks with Iran, without an intermediary. The announcement of the ceasefire immediately relieved market pressure as oil prices dropped below $100 per barrel while Asian markets soared on Wednesday morning at the opening.
Iran claims victory
The White House claims victory, just like Tehran, as Iran asserts on Wednesday morning that it has forced the Americans to accept their ten-point plan. Iranian authorities claim victory in a statement from the Supreme National Security Council. It states that “the criminal America was forced to accept Iran’s ten-point plan.” This plan includes a commitment to non-aggression against Iran, control of the Strait of Hormuz by Tehran, acceptance of uranium enrichment, lifting of all American sanctions, war reparations, the departure of all American combat forces from the region and the cessation of hostilities in the entire region, including Lebanon.
According to Tehran, negotiations between Iranians and Americans will begin on Friday, and the final agreement will need to be approved by a Security Council resolution. In the meantime, Iran is allowing secure maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. It will take about ten days for all these ships to leave the region or enter the Persian Gulf.
According to the Pakistani Prime Minister, the United States, Iran, and their allies have accepted this ceasefire everywhere, including in Lebanon, after more than five weeks of war. Israel, which claims to support this ceasefire and support the American decision to suspend attacks in Iran, on the contrary, states that the agreement does not include its Lebanese neighbor, who has been relentlessly bombed since the beginning of March.
