NATIONAL NEWS - President Donald Trump announced Tuesday 7 April that the United States and Iran have reached a two-week ceasefire in their conflict, pulling back from threatened strikes on Iranian infrastructure hours before a self-imposed deadline.

The agreement is conditional on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz to safe commercial shipping traffic.

Trump posted on social media that he agreed to “suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks… This will be a double-sided ceasefire,” subject to the strait’s “complete, immediate, and safe opening.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed Tehran would halt defensive operations if attacks ceased and would coordinate safe passage through the strait with its armed forces. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council formally accepted the truce.

Pakistan played a central mediating role. Negotiations between the two sides are scheduled to begin Friday in Islamabad, aiming for a permanent settlement. The framework builds on an earlier Pakistani proposal for an immediate ceasefire followed by a comprehensive accord.

Global oil prices fell sharply and US stock futures rose following the announcement, easing tensions that had disrupted energy markets since the conflict intensified in late February.

Major issues that could jeopardise the ceasefire are Iran’s nuclear programme and regional influence.

Article compiled by Grok. Sources: apnews.com, bbc.com, reuters.com

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