Iran on Wednesday said it would allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks if attacks against it are halted, offering a narrow diplomatic opening after US President Donald Trump announced a proposed pause in hostilities following weeks of escalating conflict.
The development came after a dramatic shift in Washington’s stance, with Trump agreeing to a temporary ceasefire framework just ahead of a self-imposed deadline that had raised fears of a wider regional war.
You may follow our live coverage of the West Asia war here
In a statement, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi framed the move as conditional de-escalation, while Iranian state media portrayed the US decision as a climbdown.
Araghchi, however, struck a more formal tone, linking the announcement to diplomatic outreach led by Pakistan.
“On behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I express gratitude and appreciation for my dear brothers HE Prime Minister of Pakistan Sharif and HE Field Marshal Munir for their tireless efforts to end the war in the region,” he said.
He added that the proposed pause followed exchanges involving Washington and regional actors, including parallel proposals from both sides.
“In response to the brotherly request of PM Sharif in his tweet, and considering the request by the U.S. for negotiations based on its 15-point proposal as well as announcement by POTUS about acceptance of the general framework of Iran’s 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations, I hereby declare on behalf of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council:” he said.
Outlining Tehran’s conditions, Araghchi made clear that any pause would depend on an immediate halt to military action.
“If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations.”
He further indicated that Iran would temporarily ease its control over the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint that carries roughly a fifth of global oil shipments.
“For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations.”
Iran also said talks with the US would begin on Friday in Islamabad, pointing to Pakistan’s likely role as a mediator in the unfolding crisis.
Also read: US-Iran ceasefire: Trump agrees to suspend 'bombing and attack' for two weeks
Less than two hours before his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on civilian infrastructure, Trump warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Tehran did not comply.
Yet, in a sudden pivot, Trump announced on social media that both sides had agreed to a temporary halt in fighting.
“This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE!” he wrote on Truth Social. “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.”
According to US officials, Israel has also agreed to the two-week pause and to suspend its bombing campaign, even as reports emerged of missiles launched from Iran shortly after the announcement — underscoring the fragility of the situation.
Trump said Iran had put forward a 10-point proposal that he considered a “workable basis” for negotiations, adding that he expected an agreement to be “finalized and consummated” during the ceasefire window.
Also read: A $2M fee to pass through Hormuz, shield from future strikes: Inside Iran’s peace plan that got Trump's nod
As the deadline approached, US and Israeli strikes reportedly hit key infrastructure inside Iran, including bridges, transport hubs and energy facilities. US forces also targeted Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export terminal.
Iran, in turn, warned it would expand retaliation beyond its borders, threatening Gulf infrastructure and claiming fresh strikes on maritime and energy targets. Explosions were reported in Doha late Tuesday, according to witnesses.
Now in its sixth week, the conflict has killed more than 5,000 people across nearly a dozen countries, including over 1,600 civilians in Iran, according to official and human rights estimates.
The development came after a dramatic shift in Washington’s stance, with Trump agreeing to a temporary ceasefire framework just ahead of a self-imposed deadline that had raised fears of a wider regional war.
You may follow our live coverage of the West Asia war here
In a statement, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi framed the move as conditional de-escalation, while Iranian state media portrayed the US decision as a climbdown.
‘Humiliating retreat’ or tactical pause?
Iranian state television claimed Trump had accepted Tehran’s terms, describing the development as a “humiliating retreat” by the US president — a characterisation that underscored the sharply divergent narratives emerging from both sides.Araghchi, however, struck a more formal tone, linking the announcement to diplomatic outreach led by Pakistan.
“On behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I express gratitude and appreciation for my dear brothers HE Prime Minister of Pakistan Sharif and HE Field Marshal Munir for their tireless efforts to end the war in the region,” he said.
He added that the proposed pause followed exchanges involving Washington and regional actors, including parallel proposals from both sides.
“In response to the brotherly request of PM Sharif in his tweet, and considering the request by the U.S. for negotiations based on its 15-point proposal as well as announcement by POTUS about acceptance of the general framework of Iran’s 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations, I hereby declare on behalf of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council:” he said.
Outlining Tehran’s conditions, Araghchi made clear that any pause would depend on an immediate halt to military action.
“If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations.”
He further indicated that Iran would temporarily ease its control over the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint that carries roughly a fifth of global oil shipments.
“For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations.”
Iran also said talks with the US would begin on Friday in Islamabad, pointing to Pakistan’s likely role as a mediator in the unfolding crisis.
Also read: US-Iran ceasefire: Trump agrees to suspend 'bombing and attack' for two weeks
From ‘civilisation will die’ to ceasefire
The ceasefire proposal marks a stark reversal by US President Donald Trump, who earlier in the day had issued one of his most sweeping wartime threats yet.Less than two hours before his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on civilian infrastructure, Trump warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Tehran did not comply.
Yet, in a sudden pivot, Trump announced on social media that both sides had agreed to a temporary halt in fighting.
“This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE!” he wrote on Truth Social. “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.”
According to US officials, Israel has also agreed to the two-week pause and to suspend its bombing campaign, even as reports emerged of missiles launched from Iran shortly after the announcement — underscoring the fragility of the situation.
Trump said Iran had put forward a 10-point proposal that he considered a “workable basis” for negotiations, adding that he expected an agreement to be “finalized and consummated” during the ceasefire window.
Also read: A $2M fee to pass through Hormuz, shield from future strikes: Inside Iran’s peace plan that got Trump's nod
A war at breaking point
The abrupt diplomatic opening follows a day of intense military escalation and global alarm.As the deadline approached, US and Israeli strikes reportedly hit key infrastructure inside Iran, including bridges, transport hubs and energy facilities. US forces also targeted Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export terminal.
Iran, in turn, warned it would expand retaliation beyond its borders, threatening Gulf infrastructure and claiming fresh strikes on maritime and energy targets. Explosions were reported in Doha late Tuesday, according to witnesses.
Now in its sixth week, the conflict has killed more than 5,000 people across nearly a dozen countries, including over 1,600 civilians in Iran, according to official and human rights estimates.
