Trump Announces Two-Week Ceasefire With Iran Ahead of Hormuz Deadline

President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran on the evening of April 7, 2026, narrowly averting a massive escalation scheduled for an 8 p.m. deadline. The truce is contingent on Iran halting its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and adopting a 10-point proposal moderated through Pakistani diplomatic channels. While Trump characterized the development as a 'significant step,' he noted the proposal alone is insufficient for a permanent resolution but serves as a 'workable' basis for long-term peace negotiations. The announcement comes as U.S. Central Command concludes the initial phase of 'Operation Epic Fury,' which utilized F-35 stealth fighters and B-52 bombers to strike over 13,000 targets. Despite Vice President JD Vance’s assessment that military objectives are 'largely accomplished,' regional tensions remain high. Israel has reportedly lobbied U.S. officials to continue the offensive for at least another month, arguing that further operations are necessary to fully destabilize the Iranian administration. The humanitarian and economic toll of the two-month conflict continues to mount. Iranian strikes have targeted civilian infrastructure, including bridges and transit hubs, while global energy markets have seen oil and fuel prices surge to record levels due to the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz. International legal experts have raised concerns regarding potential war crimes related to infrastructure attacks, though the Trump administration has dismissed these claims, focusing instead on the diplomatic window provided by the new 14-day truce.