US President Donald Trump has agreed to a ceasefire after he pulled back from his apocalyptic threat that “a whole civilisation will die” unless his Iran war demands were met.
Trump said he was suspending his threat to widen the US military offensive to bridges and power plants, subject to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for the world’s oil over which Iran has a stranglehold.
Iran proposed a 10-point plan that provided a “workable basis on which to negotiate”, Trump said.
Ceasefire
Trump had given Tehran until 1am on Wednesday UK time to end its hold over the strait.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF IRAN: pic.twitter.com/IZ9qoGpgK8
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 7, 2026
But less than two hours before the deadline, both Iran and the US said a temporary truce had been accepted. It followed a request by Pakistan, which has been acting as a mediator in the conflict.
A White House official said Israel had accepted the terms of the ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel backed Trump’s suspension of strikes, but that any deal does not cover the fighting of Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Pakistan’s PM said Israel was part of the ceasefire, however. Trump did not mention Israel in his statement.
Iran’s regime said it had accepted a ceasefire, but that its “hands remain upon the trigger”.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: “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.”
He added: “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.
I welcome the two-week ceasefire the US and Iran agreed last night. It brings much-needed de-escalation.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 8, 2026
I thank Pakistan for its mediation.
Now it is crucial that negotiations for an enduring solution to this conflict continue.
We will continue coordinating with our partners…
“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. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Later, Trump said this was a “big day for World Peace” and predicted “the Golden Age of the Middle East” in which the US would help build traffic in the strait.
Trump wrote: “Iran wants it to happen, they’ve had enough! Likewise, so has everyone else!
“There will be lots of positive action! Big money will be made. Iran can start the reconstruction process.”
Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the ceasefire agreement, saying it “will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world”.
He said: “Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.”
The end of the war?
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said it would negotiate with the US in Pakistan from Friday. Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, said US and Iranian officials have been invited to Islamabad for talks.
“It is emphasised that this does not signify the termination of the war,” Iran said in a statement in which it said it accepted a ceasefire. “Our hands remain upon the trigger, and should the slightest error be committed by the enemy, it shall be met with full force.”
Ships would be allowed to pass through the strait over the next two weeks in “coordination” with Iran’s military, according to Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.
“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,” he said.
There were no restrictions on shipping prior to the conflict. Both Iran and Oman will be allowed to charge fees on ships transiting through Hormuz, according to a regional official.
The same official said Iran would use the money for reconstruction. It was not clear what Oman would use it for. The strait is in the territorial waters of both Iran and Oman, however.
Democratic senator Chris Murphy said Trump was giving Iran “control” of the strait and delivering “a history-changing win for Iran”.
The 10-point plan
Trump has said Iran’s 10-point plan is a “workable basis on which to negotiate”. This is despite some points the US had previously said no to.
Iranian state media said Iran will only accept the war’s end once conditions in line with the plan are met.
According to Iran's state broadcaster, the plan includes the following points:
- An end to attacks on Iran
- An end to attacks on Iran’s allies
- Compensation to Iran
- US military withdrawal from the region
- Lifting of sanctions
- Unfreezing of assets
- Any peace deal to be secured by a binding UN resolution
- Iran’s continued control over the Strait of Hormuz
The English-language statement shared by the UN did not include a demand for uranium enrichment ot be accepted, but it was part of the release shared by Iranian media.
Araghchi said that Washington had accepted the general framework of the 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations. In turn, the foreign minister said Iran was considering a 15-point proposal from the US.
The details of this plan have not been published by the US, but according to US media, it is believed to include Iran handing over enriched uranium, accepting limits on defence capabilities, reopening the strait, committing to no nuclear weapons and end on regional proxy groups.
A further point reported to be on the table includes acknowledging Israel’s right to exist.
