Ololade Adeyanju/
The United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire just hours before a deadline set by President Donald Trump for a major military escalation, with both sides claiming victory even as Israel voiced reservations and continued operations in parts of the region.
The last-minute agreement, reached shortly before the expiry of Washington’s ultimatum to Tehran, has eased immediate fears of a wider conflict, particularly after Iran agreed to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route for oil, gas and fertiliser.
Announcing the pause in hostilities, Trump described the outcome as decisive. He told AFP the deal was a “total and complete victory” for the United States, adding that he had agreed to suspend planned attacks after diplomatic interventions.
“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 said.
Iran, however, presented a sharply different narrative, insisting it had forced Washington into concessions.
In a statement, the Supreme National Security Council said: “The enemy has suffered an undeniable, historic and crushing defeat in its cowardly, illegal and criminal war against the Iranian nation. Iran achieved a great victory.”
Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, confirmed that Tehran would allow safe passage through the Strait for two weeks, linking the move directly to a halt in attacks. “If attacks against Iran are halted, our powerful armed forces will cease their defensive operations,” he said.
Despite the agreement, uncertainty remains over its durability. Explosions were reported in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, with authorities blaming Iranian aggression, underlining the fragile security environment even as the ceasefire took effect.
Israel, a central player in the conflict, signalled unease with the arrangement.
While the White House said Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to the ceasefire, the Israeli leader clarified that it did not extend to Lebanon, where Israeli forces have continued operations against Hezbollah.
Israeli strikes were reported near the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, with residents warned to evacuate targeted buildings. Lebanese authorities say more than 1,500 people have been killed since the escalation began.
The ceasefire also leaves unresolved Israel’s broader objective of weakening Iran’s regional influence.
Israeli officials have maintained that key targets remain, even as they align, cautiously, with Washington’s diplomatic approach.
Before the truce, US and Israeli forces carried out heavy strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including railways and bridges, which Israel said were used by the Revolutionary Guards.
Iran responded with sustained drone and missile attacks on Gulf states hosting US forces, rattling regional stability.
Global markets reacted swiftly to the ceasefire. Oil prices fell sharply by more than 17 percent, while European gas prices dropped and Asian stock markets rallied, reflecting relief among investors.
Diplomatic efforts are now shifting towards a longer-term settlement.
Trump said negotiations were “very far along”, noting that Iran had proposed a 10-point plan which he described as “workable”, though significant gaps remain, particularly over sanctions, US military presence and Iran’s uranium enrichment programme.
The US President insisted the nuclear issue would be resolved as part of any agreement. “That will be perfectly taken care of, or I wouldn’t have settled,” he said, without elaborating.
International leaders have urged caution.
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called on all sides to “pave the way towards a lasting and comprehensive peace”, while UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, stressed the need to sustain the truce and turn it into a durable agreement.
With talks expected to begin in Pakistan, the coming days are seen as critical in determining whether the ceasefire evolves into a broader peace deal or collapses back into conflict.
For now, the agreement has halted an immediate escalation, but continued strikes, competing victory claims and Israel’s reservations point to a truce that remains precarious.
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