Both the United States and Iran have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, halting bombing and air raids following Pakistan’s mediation efforts.

US President Donald Trump and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in separate statements, announced the decision to halt hostilities.

Both countries also praised the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir for their role in working to end the conflict in the region.

President Trump said the US has agreed to suspend attacks on Iran for two weeks after Tehran accepted a temporary ceasefire.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would halt planned strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, subject to Iran agreeing to a “COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz.”

He described the arrangement as a “double sided CEASEFIRE” and said Iran’s 10-point proposal was a “workable basis on which to negotiate.”

“Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran,” he said.

Iran confirms ceasefire

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed the ceasefire in a statement carried by Mehr News Agency. It said the agreement had been approved by Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and described the deal as a “victory for Iran.”

The statement added that negotiations for a permanent agreement would be held in Islamabad.

Tehran said it accepted the truce after Trump pledged to suspend attacks, provided Iran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that handles about one-fifth of global oil shipments.

Israel joins the two-week ceasefire

Israel has also agreed to join the two-week ceasefire, a senior White House official told CNN.

The official said Israel would suspend its bombing campaign during the pause, marking a coordinated halt in hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran.

Iranian state media reported that talks between Tehran and Washington are set to begin on April 10.

However, officials stressed that negotiations do not signal an immediate end to the war.

According to Iranian media, Tehran’s 10-point proposal includes controlled transit through the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian oversight, an end to military operations against Iran and allied groups, and the withdrawal of US forces from regional bases.

The proposal also calls for lifting all sanctions, compensation payments, and the release of frozen Iranian assets.

Oil markets reacted sharply to the development. US West Texas Intermediate crude for May delivery fell $12.04, or 10.66%, to $100.90 per barrel after Trump’s announcement.

Breakthrough follows PM Shehbaz’s appeal

The breakthrough followed a direct appeal by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who had urged Trump to extend his deadline for Iran to end its blockade of Gulf oil.

“To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks. Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open Strait of Hormuz for ⁠a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture,” Sharif said in a post on X.

He also called on “all warring parties” to observe a two-week ceasefire to allow diplomacy to achieve a “conclusive termination of war,” adding that efforts were “progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully.”

Trump had earlier warned Iran it must reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8pm EDT (0000 GMT) or face expanded US strikes on critical infrastructure.