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Ceasefire announced as Trump's deadline loomed
At 18:32 Washington time on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, averting a potential military strike on Iranian infrastructure. The agreement followed a high-stakes ultimatum from Trump, who had set a 20:00 EDT deadline for Iran to comply with US demands or face large-scale attacks.
Terms of the truce
The ceasefire hinges on Iran suspending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. Iranian officials confirmed they would halt "defensive operations" and permit safe passage through the strait "via coordination with Iran's armed forces." In exchange, the US has agreed to enter negotiations over the next two weeks, though the specifics of a long-term deal remain uncertain.
Trump claimed the US had "met and exceeded" its military objectives, citing the degradation of Iran's military and the deaths of several top leaders. However, critical issues-such as the status of Iran's enriched uranium and its influence over regional proxies like Yemen's Houthi rebels-remain unresolved.
Iran's demands and global reactions
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi outlined a 10-point plan, which includes the withdrawal of US forces from the region, the lifting of economic sanctions, and compensation for war damages. The plan also insists on Iran retaining control over the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts view these demands as non-starters for the US, suggesting the upcoming negotiations will be contentious.
Global markets responded positively to the ceasefire, with oil prices dropping below $100 per barrel for the first time in days and US stock futures rallying. However, international observers warned that Trump's rhetoric-including a threat to "destroy a whole civilisation"-has already reshaped perceptions of the US as a stabilizing force.
Political fallout in Washington
Trump's handling of the crisis drew sharp criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, condemned the president's threats, with some calling for his removal. Schumer stated that Republicans who failed to act "own every consequence of whatever the hell this is."
Even within Trump's own party, support was far from unanimous. Republican Congressman Austin Scott called the president's comments "counter-productive," while Senator Ron Johnson warned that a bombing campaign would be a "huge mistake." Senator Lisa Murkowski, a frequent Trump critic, described his threat as inexcusable, writing that it "cannot be excused away as an attempt to gain leverage."
"This is not who we are, and it is not consistent with the principles that have long guided America."
Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX)
Uncertain path forward
The ceasefire offers Trump a temporary reprieve from a politically fraught decision, but the underlying tensions remain. Iran's insistence on maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz and the US's refusal to accept its 10-point plan suggest the negotiations will be fraught with challenges. For now, the agreement has averted immediate escalation, but the long-term implications of Trump's rhetoric and the war's broader impact on global stability are yet to be seen.
