Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz if US, Israel halt strikes

Iran has announced a temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, offering a short window of relief for global oil shipments and maritime traffic.

The country’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said Tehran agreed to allow safe passage through the critical route for a period of two weeks.

He added that Iran would also “suspend defensive operations,” but made it clear that the move depends on a halt to attacks from both the United States and Israel.

“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,” Araghchi said on Tuesday night.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, and any disruption typically sends shockwaves through global energy markets.

Iran’s decision is seen as a temporary de-escalation step, though uncertainty remains over what happens after the two-week window expires.

“If attacks against Iran are halted, our powerful armed forces will cease their defensive operations.”

Iran’s supreme national security council said the end of the war will depend on the US accepting the demands outlined in its 10-point plan.

“It is emphasised that this(ceasefire agreement) does not mean the end of the war, and Iran will only accept the end of the war when, in addition to accepting the principles outlined in the 10-point plan, the details are finalised in negotiations,” the security council said.

According to the security council, negotiations with the US will be held in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital.

In his Truth Social post announcing the ceasefire, Trump had named Pakistan as the primary mediator in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

The US president said he held talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif prior to the conditional agreement for a ceasefire.

“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, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” Trump wrote.

In reaction to the ceasefire agreement, the Paskitan PM said “both parties have displayed remarkable wisdom and understanding”.

“We earnestly hope, that the ‘Islamabad Talks’ succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in coming days,” he added.

The 10-point plan includes a guarantee by the US not to repeat its “aggression” against Iran as well as the continuation of Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.

The acceptance of uranium enrichment, payment of compensation, withdrawal of US combat forces from the region and lifting of all sanctions are some of the other highlights of the proposal.

Iran, meanwhile, is said to have fully committed to not seeking possession of any nuclear weapons.

The two-week ceasefire, which Israel has also accepted, is expected to take effect immediately.

According to NBC News, the US has issued directives to suspend military offensive operations against Iran.