Iran's Supreme National Security Council Confirms Two-Week Ceasefire Agreement with the U.S.

The Supreme National Security Council of Iran has officially announced the confirmation of a ceasefire agreement with the United States, which will last for two weeks. This development is reported by the international news agency Al Jazeera, citing the Iranian news agency Mehr. The agreement comes amid escalating tensions in the region and is viewed as a crucial step towards potential de-escalation.

In a statement released by the Council, it was noted that the ceasefire agreement was reached with the approval of Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. Iranian authorities have characterized this agreement as a 'victory for Iran,' emphasizing its significance in the context of ongoing negotiations. Furthermore, it has been announced that further discussions aimed at establishing a permanent agreement will take place in Islamabad, indicating a renewed focus on diplomatic efforts.

A key moment in this agreement occurred on the night of April 8, when U.S. President Donald Trump declared his willingness to suspend bombings in Iran for two weeks, contingent upon the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump underscored that the arrangement entails a mutual ceasefire, which could serve as a foundation for subsequent peace talks.

However, it is important to note that prior to this announcement, Trump had issued a series of new threats against Iran, stating that he was prepared to act on his threats that very night if his ultimatum regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz was not met. He claimed that the U.S. could 'destroy Iran in one night' and could bomb all of the country’s bridges and power plants within hours. Trump further warned that failure to comply with his demands would result in the 'destruction of an entire civilization,' raising alarms within the international community.

The ultimatum announced by Trump was set to expire at 8:00 PM Eastern Time (03:00 April 8 in Kyiv), adding to the already tense situation. In response to Trump's threats, Iran communicated through Pakistani intermediaries that it would no longer engage in negotiations with the United States regarding the ceasefire, signaling an escalation of the conflict.

Iranian officials also stated that any further U.S. strikes on the country's infrastructure would result in the 'gates of hell' opening for both the United States and Israel. According to CNN, Tehran indicated that it would only fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz after receiving financial compensation for the damages incurred due to the war, which could complicate the regional situation further.

On April 6, Axios reported that the U.S. and Iran were discussing terms for a potential 45-day ceasefire through intermediaries, which could lead to a definitive end to the war. However, on the same day, Reuters, citing sources, reported that Iran had rejected a proposal to end the war with the U.S. and Israel, under which Tehran would unblock the Strait of Hormuz for a ceasefire. This indicates that the situation remains extremely tense, and further actions from both sides could have serious repercussions for the region.