U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he will delay planned military strikes on Iranian infrastructure for two weeks, stepping back from earlier threats of immediate and large-scale escalation. The decision creates a temporary window for diplomacy during rising global tensions.
The move, which comes more than five weeks into the ongoing conflict involving the U.S. and Israel, is conditional on Iran fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz a key global oil route. Trump said the decision followed talks with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, calling it a “double-sided ceasefire.”
Financial markets reacted quickly. Oil prices fell by as much as 16%, as fears of supply disruption eased, while U.S. stock futures moved higher, showing improved investor sentiment.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that ships would be allowed to pass through the Strait during the two-week period, coordinated with Iran’s armed forces and subject to technical limits.
The announcement came just hours before Trump’s 8 p.m. ET deadline, which required Iran to reopen the Strait or face major attacks on civilian infrastructure. The deadline had caused global concern, especially after Trump warned earlier that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if no deal was reached.
Diplomatic efforts played a key role. Pakistan requested a two-week extension and urged both sides to follow a temporary ceasefire to allow talks. This proposal was central to the U.S. decision to delay action.
Both the U.S. and Iran described the outcome as a success. Trump said the U.S. has already met its military goals and is close to a long-term peace agreement, based on a 10-point proposal from Iran. He added that most disagreements have been resolved, and the two-week period will help finalize the deal.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council also called it a political victory, saying the U.S. accepted its negotiation framework, while warning it will continue fighting if talks fail.
Talks between the two sides are expected to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan, over the next two weeks. Iran’s proposal includes U.S. troop withdrawal, removal of sanctions, release of frozen assets, compensation for war damages, and a system for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Notably, Trump had rejected a similar proposal just a day earlier as “not good enough,” making the quick shift toward negotiations uncertain.
While the delay has reduced immediate fears of escalation, the situation remains fragile. The outcome of the talks will decide whether this leads to peace or renewed conflict.