Iran accepts two-week ceasefire; negotiations with U.S. begin soon

Iran's Supreme National Security Council announced this week that it has accepted a two-week ceasefire in the ongoing war. The council stated, "It is emphasized that this does not signify the termination of the war. Our hands remain upon the trigger, and should the slightest error be committed by the enemy, it shall be met with full force."

Negotiations with the United States are set to begin in Islamabad on Friday. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he would pull back on threats to widen attacks on Iran, contingent upon Iran's readiness for the ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump warned earlier, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again," if a deal is not reached.

Pakistan has played a mediating role, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urging Trump to extend the deadline for negotiations. Sharif's post on social media also called for Iran to allow passage through the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks. Iran's foreign minister stated that ships would be permitted to pass through the strait under coordination with Iran's military, which could enhance Iran's geopolitical standing.

The U.S. has maintained a network of military bases in the region for decades, and any reduction in troop levels could provoke backlash from Gulf Arab states that have been affected by the war. Iran's vague reference to the "withdrawal of United States combat forces" raises questions about the future of U.S. military presence in the region.

What to watch: The upcoming negotiations in Islamabad will be crucial in determining the future dynamics of U.S.-Iran relations and regional security.