US President Donald Trump announced the suspension of planned military strikes on Iran for two weeks, linking this step to Iran’s readiness to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and enter into negotiations.
The temporary cessation of hostilities between Washington and Tehran has provided a narrow window for diplomacy, but there is no sign yet that the conflict has completely subsided.The decision came after a dangerous escalation in Trump’s rhetoric earlier in the day, threatening to destroy the entire civilization, namely Iran, followed by last-minute diplomatic intervention by mediators in the conflict. Trump said that the United States had already achieved its military goals and indicated that the two sides were close to a broader agreement.
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America bows to Iran? Trump announces a ceasefire after accepting Iran’s 10-point demand details
Meanwhile, Iran indicated conditional cooperation. Its leadership agreed to a temporary ceasefire and proposed a comprehensive framework to end the conflict, making clear that any cessation of military operations depended on stopping attacks against it.However, developments on the ground, including missile activity across the Gulf and continued Israeli operations, reflect that the situation remains volatile.
1. Temporary ceasefire
The arrangement announced by the United States is limited to a two-week period, and is designed as a temporary pause, not a solution. Trump called it a “dual ceasefire,” but officials on both sides emphasized its conditional and reversible nature. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council also made clear that the move “does not mean an end to the war,” stressing that this is a tactical pause aimed at enabling negotiations rather than ending hostilities completely. She said in a statement: “It was emphasized that this does not mean the end of the war.” “Our hands remain on the trigger, and if the enemy makes the slightest mistake, we will confront him with full force,” the Associated Press reported.
2. The Strait of Hormuz is the central bargaining chip
One of the main demands of the United States is to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply passes. Trump has made his “full, immediate and safe” reopening a precondition for suspending strikes.
Iran agreed in principle but with some caveats, stating that safe passage would only be allowed through coordination with its armed forces and subject to technical restrictions. Since the beginning of the war, Iran has used Hormuz as a strategic lever.
3. Iran says that the ceasefire depends on reciprocity
Iran did not announce an unconditional cessation of military operations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said: “If attacks against Iran stop, our powerful armed forces will stop their defensive operations.” The mistrust between the two sides has worsened over the past month, and Araghchi’s statement only makes this clear, as any violations could quickly lead to the arrangement collapsing. It also leaves room for interpretation as to what constitutes “defensive operations.”
4. Formal talks are expected to begin in Islamabad
Negotiations between the United States and Iran are expected to take place during the two-week period in Islamabad. This comes as Trump said in his post on the Truth Social website: ““Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir of Pakistan, where they asked me to postpone the destructive force that will be sent to Iran tonight.”Iranian authorities confirmed their participation, indicating their willingness to participate diplomatically after weeks of military escalation.
5. Iran’s 10-point peace framework
Tehran has put forward a comprehensive 10-point peace proposal to end hostilities. The proposal goes beyond a temporary truce and calls for a comprehensive end to the conflict. Key demands include a permanent cessation of hostilities in multiple regions, including Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of US sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and financial compensation for reconstruction.It also includes a commitment by Iran not to seek nuclear weapons, and sets the proposal as a broader settlement framework.
6. The contradiction over nuclear “enrichment” raises new questions
A key difference has emerged between the Persian and English versions of her ten-point proposal, which could complicate negotiations. According to the Associated Press, the Persian-language version explicitly includes the phrase “acceptance of enrichment” in reference to Iran’s nuclear program, wording that was absent from the English version. It remains unclear why this term was omitted in translation, but the distinction is important. Trump stressed that completely ending the Iranian nuclear program is a main goal of the conflict, and he had previously rejected Tehran’s proposal, describing it as “fraudulent” without providing details.This discrepancy may indicate unresolved differences on one of the most sensitive issues in the talks.
7. Military activity continues despite the announcement
Even after the ceasefire was declared, multiple reports indicate that hostilities will continue. According to CNN, missile and drone threats have been detected across the Gulf, with countries like Qatar and the UAE working to intercept them. Israel also reported missile launches from Iran and continued its strikes, highlighting the gap between political declarations and facts on the ground.
8. The United States claims that significant progress has already been achieved
Trump confirmed that the negotiations had already reached an advanced stage, saying: “Almost all the various points that were in dispute in the past have been agreed upon.” He also described the Iranian proposal as a “practical basis” for reaching a final agreement. These claims indicate optimism on Washington’s part, although the main sticking points remain unclear.The ceasefire is not limited to the United States and Iran alone. The Pakistani leadership had a role in facilitating the truce, while statements indicate that the arrangement may extend to other theaters such as Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Gulf states and Israel remain directly affected, with ongoing security alerts underscoring the broader regional dimension of the conflict.
9. Iran’s military structure may delay full compliance
Iran’s decentralized military command system means that ceasefire orders may not be implemented uniformly or immediately. While state media reported that the Supreme Leader instructed all units to cease fire, the structure allows regional commanders a degree of autonomy. This may lead to delays or inconsistency in compliance, increasing the risk of accidental escalation.
10. The fundamental issues behind the war remain unresolved
Despite diplomatic openness, fundamental disputes, including Iran’s nuclear program, regional influence, and long-standing geopolitical tensions, have not been resolved. According to the New York Times, the ceasefire leaves critical concerns intact, such as Iran’s nuclear stockpile and the broader balance of power in the Middle East. This suggests that even if the current pause continues, reaching a permanent solution will require more comprehensive negotiations.
Bottom line
The ceasefire between the United States and Iran represents a significant de-escalation, but it does not represent an end to the conflict. With conditions attached, military activity still ongoing, and key issues unresolved, the situation remains precarious. The next two weeks of negotiations will be crucial in determining whether this pause can develop into a permanent agreement, or whether it will remain a short interruption in an ongoing war.
