United States President Donald Trump has announced a two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran, suspending American military strikes against Iranian targets after Tehran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. The announcement came just 90 minutes before a deadline Trump himself had set for expanded military action, marking a dramatic reversal from the escalatory posture Washington had maintained throughout the crisis. The deal represents the first diplomatic breakthrough between the two nations since hostilities intensified over control of the strategically vital waterway.
The ceasefire agreement requires Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20 per cent of the world's oil supply passes daily, within 48 hours of the deal taking effect. In exchange, the United States has committed to halting all bombing operations against Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure for the 14-day period. Trump confirmed the arrangement from the White House, describing it as a chance for Tehran to demonstrate its willingness to negotiate a longer-term settlement on its nuclear program and regional military activities.
The Strait of Hormuz crisis had been building for weeks after Iran moved to restrict tanker traffic through the narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Global oil prices spiked sharply as shipping insurers raised premiums and several major tanker operators suspended transits through the strait. The United States responded with a sustained aerial bombing campaign targeting Iranian military installations, the most significant direct American military engagement with Iran in decades.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the ceasefire as a positive step toward de-escalation, noting that the conflict had already driven fuel prices higher across Australia and disrupted trade routes critical to the Asia-Pacific region. Defence analysts in Canberra said the two-week window was fragile but offered genuine space for broader negotiations if both sides engaged in good faith. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly described the agreement as a pragmatic decision to protect Iranian civilians while insisting Tehran had not capitulated to American demands.
The 14-day ceasefire window will be closely watched by global energy markets, with Brent crude futures already falling more than 4 per cent in after-hours trading following the announcement. Negotiators from both countries are expected to meet in a neutral location, with Oman and Switzerland mentioned as potential hosts for formal talks. Failure to reach a lasting agreement before the ceasefire expires on 22 April could see hostilities resume at an even greater intensity, with Pentagon officials reportedly maintaining all strike assets in the region at full readiness.