Elaina Batista Asst. Social Media Editor
President Donald Trump announced a two week ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday, April 7, and agreed to a ceasefire 90 minutes before the deadline where he threatened “a whole civilization will die tonight”.
Trump took to Truth Social and stated, “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.”
The two-week ceasefire is contingent upon Iran reopening the strait of Hormuz according to Trump. Prior to Trump agreeing to the cease-fire, Tehran’s representative at the U.N., Amir-Saeid Iravani, said the threats “constitute incitement to war crimes and potentially genocide.” Later adding Iran would “take immediate and proportionate reciprocal measures” if Trump launches devastating strikes.
On April 9, Israel’s military launched attacks on Lebanon, bombing 100 sites in 10 minutes in the residential areas in central Beirut. Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said that he gave the order for his administration to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon with the goal of disarming the militant Lebanese organization Hezbollah. However, hours later, he insisted that “there is no cease-fire in Lebanon.”
The U.S.-Iranian cease-fire was mediated by Pakistan, and its prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, stated that the agreement addressed the conflict in Lebanon. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, concurred. However, the White House and Israel have stated that Lebanon is not covered by the cease-fire.
At least 254 deaths have been reported across Lebanon. In a statement, Hezbollah called Israeli attacks on people throughout Lebanon war crimes.
President Trump has accused Iran of violating the cease fire by “doing a very poor job” of opening the Strait of Hormuz. Claiming only a handful of ships have made it through the waterway since the agreement. Iran has stated that it maintains the right to charge a fee for passage and has insisted that ships wishing to pass through the strait obtain its approval.
Vice President JD Vance headed to Pakistan on Friday, April 10, for peace talks with Iran. Before departing for Islamabad he told reporters, “We’re looking forward to the negotiation…I think it’s going to be positive.” Along with Vice President Vance is President Trump’s special envoy, his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and Steve Witkoff.
As Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, arrived to the Islamabad airport he told Iran’s state media, “We have goodwill, but we do not trust” then continued to say that if the U.S. is “ready for a genuine agreemnet.” then Iran could be as well. According to a CNN regional source, the meeting between the U.S. and Iran will be both indirect and direct. The two sides are likely to meet an agenda for talks through Pakistani mediators then expected to meet face to face later in the day.