Trump Announces Two-Week Ceasefire with Iran Conditional on Strait of Hormuz Access WASHINGTON, D.C., April 7, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump has declared a temporary halt to military actions against Iran for two weeks, contingent on Iran reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.
The announcement follows escalating tensions in the Middle East, including Iranian rocket attacks on Qatar that injured four people and threats by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to target Israeli gas fields. Trump's offer of a brief ceasefire comes alongside a stark warning to Tehran, delivered via his Truth Social platform: *"Eine ganze Zivilisation wird heute Nacht untergehen, um nie wieder zurückzukehren"* ("A whole civilization will disappear tonight, never to return").
## Ceasefire Terms and Regional Reactions The proposed two-week pause in U.S. hostilities hinges on Iran allowing unimpeded access through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The ultimatum was extended after Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reportedly urged Trump to grant additional time for diplomatic efforts.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has meanwhile escalated its rhetoric, threatening to attack Israel’s Karish and Tanin offshore gas fields. The U.S. has also accused Iran of launching a cyberattack against American infrastructure, though details of the breach remain undisclosed.
## International Condemnation and Escalating Threats Pope Francis condemned Trump’s threat against Iran, calling it "really unacceptable" in a rare direct critique of a sitting U.S. president. The Vatican’s intervention underscores growing global concern over the volatile standoff.
The recent Iranian rocket strike on Qatar marks a significant escalation, marking the first direct attack on the Gulf state in the current conflict. While Qatar has not yet issued an official response, the assault risks drawing neighboring powers deeper into the crisis.
Trump’s conditional ceasefire offer leaves open whether Iran will comply or face renewed military action after the two-week window expires. The U.S. president’s combative social media post suggests a readiness to escalate further, even as regional actors push for de-escalation.