Trump Announces Provisional Two-Week Ceasefire with Iran Over Strait of Hormuz Access

By Lauren Gambino

*Published: 2026-04-08*

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced a provisional two-week ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday evening, hours after issuing a deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. The move followed a last-minute intervention by Pakistan and came roughly 90 minutes before an 8 p.m. ET deadline, which Trump had set for potential strikes on Iran's power plants and bridges.

The announcement occurred amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran war, which began on February 28, 2026, when U.S. and Israeli forces conducted strikes targeting Iran's nuclear program, missile sites, and infrastructure supporting proxy groups. In response, Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz and imposed restrictions on passage starting around March 22-31, 2026, deploying drones, boats, and mines that disrupted freedom of navigation.

"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 wrote in a post on social media.

Iran's foreign minister issued a statement shortly afterward, confirming that passage through the strait would be permitted for the next two weeks under Iranian military oversight.

Earlier Tuesday, Trump had warned that Iran risked severe consequences, stating that "a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again" if commercial shipping was not allowed safe passage. Some legal and military scholars described potential strikes on power plants and bridges as possible war crimes, though others noted the context of Iran's actions in the strait.

The developments drew reactions from U.S. political leaders across party lines. Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, expressed relief at the suspension of strikes while criticizing Trump's approach to the conflict. Schumer had previously described the war as a "war of choice." House Democrats, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, had called for Trump's removal via impeachment or the 25th Amendment, citing concerns over his leadership.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) stated on social media that the agreement "changes nothing," arguing that Trump continued to leverage threats against Iran and renewing calls for his removal. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) described Trump's actions as "unhinged, unpresidential and unconscionable" in a CNN interview, adding that the American public opposed the war, which he said lacked a clear plan or exit strategy. Jeffries said Democrats would push Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene the House for a war powers resolution to end the conflict.

Republicans largely welcomed the ceasefire as a tactical success. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) called it "excellent news" and "a strong first step toward holding Iran accountable," contrasting it with what he termed "chaos and weak appeasement policies."

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a vocal critic of Iran, expressed hope for ending the "reign of terror" of the Iranian regime through diplomacy but emphasized that Iran had attacked the strait after the war's start, destroying freedom of navigation. "Going forward, it is imperative Iran is not rewarded for this hostile act," Graham said.

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), who has occasionally diverged from Trump, urged critics to avoid overreacting to the president's rhetoric. "Take a breath," Crenshaw wrote on X. "President Trump speaks in terms of POWER, which is the only language our adversaries understand. Carefully worded diplomatic statements make the UN feel nice and cozy but also don’t get anything done."

Former Trump allies, including ex-Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and commentator Candace Owens, had criticized the threats earlier, with Owens calling them "madness," according to reports. The Vatican, through Pope Leo — the first American pontiff — also condemned the escalation, aligning with some former Trump supporters who broke ranks over the war.

The ceasefire suspends U.S. strikes but leaves open the possibility of resumption if Iran does not comply. It marks a temporary de-escalation in a conflict that has seen tit-for-tat actions, including Iran's restrictions on the strait, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments carrying about 20% of the world's supply.

Democrats plan to pursue legislative measures to limit presidential war powers, while Republicans frame the pause as evidence of effective deterrence. Public opinion polls have shown divided support for the war, with majorities expressing concern over escalation risks.

As the two-week period begins, attention turns to whether Iran fully reopens the strait and if diplomatic efforts, including Pakistan's role, can lead to a longer-term resolution.

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