A short‑lived pause in the war
The White House has confirmed that the United States will suspend all bombing and military attacks on Iran for a period of two weeks, marking a sudden pause in the U.S.–Iran hostilities that began in late February 2026. This “ceasefire” is explicitly tied to Iran’s agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to safe commercial shipping, which had been largely shut since the conflict began.
Conditions and regional reactions
President Donald Trump framed the suspension as a “double‑sided ceasefire”: the U.S. halts planned strikes on Iranian infrastructure, while Iran’s armed forces stop retaliatory actions, at least temporarily. The arrangement was struck following intensive mediation by Pakistan, with the U.S. agreeing to delay its announced deadline for massive strikes on Iranian power plants and bridges.
What happens next
The two‑week window is meant to allow practical arrangements for free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and to set the stage for further negotiations, reportedly to be held in Islamabad. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has hinted that the truce could be extended if talks progress, but the White House has also warned that the U.S. attack options—including on dual‑use infrastructure—remain on the table if Tehran fails to keep its commitments.
