President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would halt military strikes against Iran for two weeks, framing the move as a pause born from battlefield success rather than diplomatic necessity.
The deal hinges on Iran's immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments. Trump characterized the arrangement as a "double-sided ceasefire" that would create space for negotiators while the U.S. maintains military readiness.
"We've already met and exceeded all military objectives in Iran," Trump told reporters at the White House, a statement that underscores his administration's position that American forces have achieved their goals. The two-week suspension would suspend bombing and attack operations during the window.
The announcement came as both nations claimed vindication over the agreement's terms. Iran's government similarly asserted it had secured favorable conditions through its own strength and resolve.
The timing and structure of the ceasefire raised immediate questions about whether either side would use the period to consolidate gains or genuinely pursue a diplomatic off-ramp. The Strait of Hormuz blockade had emerged as one of the central flashpoints in recent escalations, with control over the waterway carrying enormous economic and strategic weight.
Trump's insistence that American military objectives had been "exceeded" suggested the White House viewed any pause not as capitulation but as a demonstration of strength. The president made clear the suspension was conditional, tied directly to Iranian action on the strait.
NBC News correspondent Garrett Haake reported from the White House as details emerged Tuesday evening.
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