President Trump pulled back from the brink of war with Iran in a stunning pivot, delaying strikes with only 90 minutes left on his deadline. The move hinges on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz within two weeks, following covert talks brokered by Pakistan.
Tensions peaked as the 8 PM EST cutoff loomed. Trump’s Truth Social post revealed U.S. military goals met and a promising 10-point Iranian proposal. ‘We’ve agreed on most disputes,’ he claimed, framing the delay as a path to enduring peace.
Iran responded positively, with Foreign Minister Araghchi indicating readiness to pause operations if attacks stop. He outlined a coordinated two-week plan for secure Hormuz navigation, respecting technical limits.
White House insiders confirmed Israel’s buy-in, though details are scarce. The strait’s blockade has hammered oil markets, with global prices surging. India, heavily reliant on Gulf crude, faces direct economic hits from any extended closure.
Earlier, Trump’s rhetoric was apocalyptic: failure to deal meant civilization’s end that night. Yet, Gulf reports of drones and missiles post-announcement underscore enforcement challenges. Core disputes—nuclear ambitions, sanctions, Hormuz dominance—persist.
This comes after intense U.S.-Israel airstrikes on Iran, escalating fears of all-out conflict. The UN’s Bahrain-backed reopening bid fell to Russian-Chinese vetoes. Trump’s gamble buys time, but the region’s powder keg smolders, demanding swift diplomacy.
