US pauses Iran bombing campaign after Trump declares temporary truce

US President Donald Trump announced Washington has agreed to pause bombing operations against Iran for two weeks following talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, on the condition of the full, immediate, and secure reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Caliber.Az presents the full text of the Truth Social post by Donald Trump regarding the temporary suspension of hostilities against Iran:

"Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE! The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East. We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated. On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the Countries of the Middle East, it is an Honor to have this Longterm problem close to resolution."

The White House confirmed that strikes on Iran have already been suspended. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), more than 13,000 targets have been hit since the start of the conflict. 

The ceasefire, according to Washington, also applies to Israel, whose leadership has agreed to temporarily halt strikes during negotiations, though the decision has been met with caution in Tel Aviv due to remaining military objectives.

Iran, for its part, has presented a 10-point settlement plan delivered to the United States via Pakistan.

In a statement, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the proposal includes:

— controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz coordinated with Iranian armed forces;

— cessation of military actions against members of the so-called “axis of resistance”;

— withdrawal of US troops from all bases in the region;

— establishment of a secure navigation protocol in the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian oversight;

— payment of compensation to Iran;

— lifting of all sanctions and related international restrictions;

— unfreezing of Iranian assets abroad;

— formalisation of agreements in a binding resolution of the UN Security Council.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that during the ceasefire period, Tehran will coordinate the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities are already describing the agreement as a strategic victory, while stressing their readiness to respond forcefully in case of any violations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that an immediate ceasefire agreement has been reached and said both sides have been invited to Islamabad for further negotiations. According to him, the meeting could take place on April 10 and is expected to serve as a platform for finalising the agreement and resolving remaining differences.

The declared ceasefire is being viewed as a temporary window to transition from the military phase of the conflict to a political process that could shape the region’s security architecture in the near term.

By Jeyhun Aghazada