US, Israel, Iran Agree to Two-Week Ceasefire
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- Trump announced the two-week ceasefire on Truth Social, suspending US bombing of Iran if the country 'COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE' reopens the Strait of Hormuz, hours after threatening that 'a whole civilization will die tonight'
- Israel is part of the ceasefire and agreed to suspend its own bombing campaign, per an unnamed senior White House official cited by CNN, after joining the US in strikes on Iran including civilian infrastructure since February 28
- Iran's Supreme National Security Council accepted the deal but stated it 'does not signify the termination of the war,' with Iran correspondent Farnaz Fassihi attributing the truce to 'frantic diplomatic efforts by Pakistan and last-minute intervention by China'
- Trump said Iran submitted a 10-point peace plan and that 'almost all' past points of contention have been agreed, though he warned the plan could face resistance from Israel and Gulf monarchies Iran has been attacking in retaliation
- Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) told CNN he doubts any real ceasefire is in place, citing continued Iranian missile attacks on Israel and the UAE and Iran's claim that Trump conceded its right to uranium enrichment, missile programs, drone programs, and nuclear programs
- Raed Jarrar of Democracy for the Arab World Now called it a 'truly humiliating defeat' for the US and Israel, arguing the war killed thousands of civilians, triggered the worst global energy crisis in half a century, and ended with Iran keeping enrichment, taking the Strait, and winning US agreement to lift sanctions and pay reparations
Why it matters: The reported terms — Iran retaining uranium enrichment, missile and drone programs, and de facto control of the Strait of Hormuz — represent a major reversal of the war's stated objectives. Continued Iranian strikes on Israel and the UAE, cited by Sen. Murphy, suggest the 'ceasefire' may be more declaration than reality, and Trump's threat to remove the 'destructive force' he had already sent to wipe out Iranian civilization puts enormous moral weight on whatever final agreement emerges.
