By Zoila Palma: A conditional two-week ceasefire has been agreed between the United States and Iran, allowing shipping to resume through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil exports.
The truce follows more than a month of coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran and came hours after President Donald Trump warned of severe consequences if the waterway was not reopened.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who mediated the talks, said the ceasefire took effect immediately on Wednesday, BBC reports.
Trump said Washington would suspend military operations against Iran for two weeks, contingent on Tehran allowing maritime traffic through the strait.
He stated the decision followed the achievement of US military objectives and indicated that discussions on tariffs and sanctions relief could follow.
The US also warned that any country supplying weapons to Iran would face a 50 percent tariff on goods entering the American market.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said American forces would remain on high alert to ensure Iranian compliance, adding they were prepared to resume operations if necessary.
Iran confirmed it would permit vessel passage through the strait under military coordination and outlined a 10-point plan that includes a broader cessation of conflict across the region, sanctions relief, release of frozen assets, and compensation for reconstruction. Tehran also reiterated it would not pursue nuclear weapons.
While Pakistan indicated the ceasefire could extend to Lebanon, Israel said the agreement does not apply there.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed support for suspending strikes on Iran, conditional on Iran halting attacks and reopening the strait, but confirmed Israeli operations in Lebanon would continue.
Shortly after the announcement, Israel reported intercepting missiles launched from Iran, with explosions heard in Jerusalem.
The post International News: U.S. and Iran agree to 2-week ceasefire; reopening of Strait of Hormuz appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: A conditional two-week ceasefire has been agreed between the United States and Iran, allowing shipping to resume through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil exports. The truce follows more than a month of coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran and came hours after President Donald Trump warned
The post International News: U.S. and Iran agree to 2-week ceasefire; reopening of Strait of Hormuz appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
