US-Iran Agree to Two-Week Ceasefire: Tehran Offers Safe Passage Through Strait of Hormuz if Attacks Halt

 Iran announced on Wednesday it would guarantee safe passage for maritime traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz for two weeks, conditional on a halt to attacks against it, as part of a fragile ceasefire with the United States brokered with Pakistani assistance. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on X (formerly Twitter) that if attacks on Iran cease, its armed forces would stop defensive operations. “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 posted.

The move follows a statement from US President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening, in which he agreed to suspend bombing and attacks on Iran for two weeks. Trump’s announcement was conditional on Iran allowing the “COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING” of the Strait of Hormuz, following requests from Pakistani leaders.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is critical for global energy supplies. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and significant volumes of liquefied natural gas pass through it daily. Disruptions in recent weeks had raised fears of a major supply shock and soaring oil prices.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council separately confirmed acceptance of the ceasefire proposal. Negotiations between the US and Iran are scheduled to begin on Friay in Islamabad, Pakistan, with the possibility of extension by mutual agreement.