Iran and the United States have agreed to a two-week ceasefire less than two hours before the deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump, and will hold negotiations in Pakistan.
Trump announced Tuesday he has agreed to "suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks."
The decision is "subject to" Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz, he wrote on social media.
The ceasefire came shortly before Trump's deadline for Iran to agree to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, or the "whole civilization will die tonight."
On the Iranian side, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has said that Iran will cease "defensive operations" if attacks against it stop.
Araghchi also promised safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz during the 2-week ceasefire under "coordination" with Iranian armed forces, saying that Iran will hold negotiations with the U.S. side in Pakistan's capital Islamabad.
Pakistan, the broker of the ceasefire, confirmed the latest progress on Wednesday.
"I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY," Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted on X.
Sharif has earlier called on the U.S. side to extend the deadline set by Trump by two weeks, and requested Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture.
Explaining the reasons for making this decision, Trump said, "We have already met and exceeded all military objectives."
Trump said the U.S. side had received a 10-point proposal from Iran, depicting it as "a workable basis on which to negotiate."
According to Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency, the 10-point proposal includes a U.S. commitment to ensure no further acts of aggression, continued Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz, acceptance of Iran's nuclear enrichment rights, and the lifting of sanctions, among others.
On potential negotiations with the United States, Araghchi stressed that the temporary ceasefire does not mean an end to war, pending negotiations on the details of the 10-point proposal.
Israel supports the U.S.-Iran two-week ceasefire, "subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the U.S., Israel and countries in the region," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Office said Wednesday.
However, Israeli attacks in Lebanon are expected to continue, with the office saying the two-week ceasefire "does not include Lebanon."
Israel and Hezbollah have traded deadly fire since March 3, with Israel carrying out large-scale bombings in southern Lebanon and Beirut, alongside a ground offensive in the south.
"Israel also supports the U.S. effort to ensure that Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile and terror threat to the United States, Israel, Iran's Arab neighbors and the world," the office said.
"The United States has told Israel that it is committed to achieving these goals, shared by the United States, Israel and Israel's regional allies, in the upcoming negotiations," it added.
According to a CNN report citing U.S. officials, the Trump administration is preparing for possible face-to-face talks between U.S. and Iranian officials as both sides are currently working to reach a long-term agreement to end the . U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner will take part in potential direct talks with Iranian representatives in Islamabad with Pakistani mediators present.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Tuesday confirmed to CNN that "there are discussions about in-person talks, but nothing is final until announced by the President or the White House."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the two-week ceasefire announced by the United States and Iran, his spokesperson said Tuesday in a statement.
"He calls on all the parties to the current conflict in the Middle East to comply with their obligations under international law and to abide by the terms of the ceasefire in order to pave the way toward a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region," said his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric in a statement.
"The secretary-general underscores that an end to hostilities is urgently needed to protect civilian lives and alleviate human suffering," the statement said.
"He expresses sincere appreciation for the efforts of Pakistan and other countries involved in facilitating the ceasefire," it said, adding that the UN chief's personal envoy Jean Arnault is in the region to support efforts toward lasting peace.
On Feb 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.
Iran, US agree to 2-week ceasefire, negotiations to be held in Pakistan
