New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday night withdrew his threats of a devastating attack on Iran. The US and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, which includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Trump decided to call off the war two hours before the deadline given to Tehran expired.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council accepted the ceasefire and said it would start talks with the US in Pakistan from Friday. However, attacks continued in Israel, Iran and the Gulf region on Wednesday morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel supports the ceasefire, but the agreement does not apply to the fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel has stipulated that Iran immediately opens the Strait of Hormuz and stops the attacks. According to the Pakistani Prime Minister, the ceasefire also includes a call for a halt to fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Some confusion arose during the process due to differences between the Persian and English versions of Iran's 10-point plan, where the Persian version included 'approval of nuclear modification'.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the waterway would be under Iranian military management and that Iran and Oman would collect fees from ships passing through it, which Iran would use for reconstruction. Iran has demanded the withdrawal of US troops from the region, the lifting of sanctions, and the release of frozen funds to end the war. Trump said he had made the decision after talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir.
Despite the announcement of the ceasefire, pro-government protesters chanted slogans against the US and Israel on the streets of Tehran. Since the war began, more than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran and more than 1,500 in Lebanon, while millions have been displaced. Missile alerts are also ongoing in Gulf countries and there are reports of a gas plant fire in Abu Dhabi. The US military has temporarily suspended offensive operations but has said it will continue defensive operations.