Trump Announces Two-Week Ceasefire in Iran Conflict Amid Israeli Push for Extension

President Donald Trump has announced a "double-sided ceasefire" in the ongoing conflict with Iran, citing the achievement of U.S. military goals. The proposed pause is tied to a 10-point peace framework that includes a cessation of Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Vice President JD Vance supported the transition, stating that Washington has largely met its objectives, leaving only residual work on Iran's weapons production capacity. However, the conflict remains economically volatile, with global fuel prices surging as the blockade—which controls one-fifth of the world’s oil supply—reaches its second month. Despite the U.S. administration's move toward a pause, Israel is reportedly conducting behind-the-scenes lobbying to extend the military campaign for at least another month. Israeli officials aim to leverage the current momentum to further destabilize the Iranian government. This push for escalation follows a Monday airstrike on a Shiraz-based sonar and underwater detection facility, an operation that severely hampered Iran's naval electronics and submarine production capabilities. U.S. Central Command confirmed that "Operation Epic Fury" has hit over 13,000 targets to date, utilizing B-52 bombers and F-35 fighters to damage or destroy more than 155 Iranian vessels. On the diplomatic front, mediation efforts led by Pakistan have shown signs of progress. Iran’s envoy to Pakistan indicated that indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran have moved past a "critical and sensitive stage." While the U.S. and Israel have sought to secure Iran's enriched uranium stocks, reports suggest Tehran has successfully concealed these materials, leading some observers to warn that the Iranian leadership may still pursue nuclear weaponization as a final deterrent if the diplomatic window closes.