The United States has agreed to suspend military strikes on Iran just hours before a self-imposed deadline. President Donald Trump announced a two-week halt to attacks late on Tuesday, April 7, backing away from earlier threats to launch large-scale strikes on Iranian infrastructure. The pause came roughly 90 minutes before the deadline he had set for Iran to ‘reopen’ the Strait of Hormuz or face escalation.
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The ceasefire follows mediation efforts led by Pakistan, which urged both sides to step back and allow diplomacy to proceed. Under the emerging framework, the US will suspend offensive operations while Iran allows shipping to resume through the Strait of Hormuz, with negotiations set to take place during the two-week period.
Trump said the decision was based on progress toward a broader agreement, describing a 10-point proposal submitted by Iran as “a workable basis” for negotiations.
The development marks a significant shift from Washington’s earlier position, which had included threats of extensive strikes on Iran’s civilian infrastructure. Analysts say the abrupt pause underscores the difficulty the US has faced in achieving its strategic objectives in the conflict, including forcing Iran to capitulate on key demands.
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Tehran, for its part, has maintained its core positions throughout the crisis, including calls for a permanent end to the war, the lifting of sanctions, and a restructured framework governing the Strait of Hormuz. Its ability to sustain pressure on the waterway, one of the world’s most critical energy routes, has been central to its leverage.
The Strait, through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes, has been severely disrupted since the conflict began in late February, driving up energy prices and unsettling global markets.
The US decision to halt strikes has also come amid growing international and domestic pressure. Several NATO allies declined to support US military operations, while critics in Washington described Trump’s earlier threats as reckless and destabilizing.
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While the ceasefire remains fragile and contingent on continued compliance of Trump, it represents a moment of de-escalation after weeks of intensifying conflict.
Observers say the outcome highlights a shift in momentum, with Iran entering negotiations from a position of increased leverage, while the US seeks an off-ramp from a costly and uncertain conflict.
