AT A GLANCE
- Iran has agreed to a two week ceasefire while warning the war is not over
- U.S. and Iranian officials are expected to begin negotiations in Islamabad on Friday
- Trump says he will scale back threats if Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz
- U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure continued earlier in the day
Iran Agrees to Ceasefire While Warning Conflict Is Not Over
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council announced it has accepted a two week ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, signaling a temporary pause while keeping military pressure in place.
In its official statement, Iranian officials made clear the agreement does not mark the end of the war.
“It is emphasized that this does not signify the termination of the war,” the council said. “Our hands remain upon the trigger, and should the slightest error be committed by the enemy, it shall be met with full force.”
The statement also confirmed that Iran plans to enter negotiations with the United States in Islamabad beginning Friday.
Trump Scales Back Threats as Ceasefire Conditions Take Shape
President Donald Trump said he is stepping back from earlier threats to expand U.S. attacks on Iran, including targeting bridges, power plants, and other civilian infrastructure.
That shift is tied to Iran’s willingness to accept the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.
Earlier Tuesday, Trump escalated tensions with a stark warning, saying, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” if Iran did not agree to terms that included reopening the strait.
The remarks drew immediate criticism from Democrats, some former supporters within Trump’s political base, and even the first American pope.
Military Strikes Continue Despite Diplomatic Movement
Even as ceasefire discussions emerged, military activity continued.
According to a White House official speaking on condition of anonymity, the United States struck targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, a major oil hub. The attack marked the second time the location has been hit.
At the same time, Israeli warplanes carried out strikes on Iranian bridges and railway systems.
The continued strikes underscore the fragile nature of the ceasefire agreement, with both sides maintaining military readiness as negotiations begin.
High Stakes Talks Ahead in Islamabad
With negotiations set to begin Friday, the focus now shifts to whether both sides can move beyond temporary de escalation.
Iran’s warning that its “hands remain upon the trigger” signals that any misstep could quickly reignite broader conflict.
For now, the ceasefire offers a narrow window for diplomacy in a war that has already escalated rapidly across military, economic, and geopolitical fronts.
