Trump announces ceasefire with Iran after last-minute diplomatic intervention

This week, Donald Trump announced a two-week conditional ceasefire with Iran, following a last-minute diplomatic intervention by Pakistan. This announcement came less than two hours before Trump's self-imposed deadline for Iran to surrender or face military action. Earlier, Trump had warned on Truth Social, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will." Reports indicated that B-52 bombers were en route to Iran before the ceasefire was declared.

The ceasefire allows Trump to step back from escalating military actions that have persisted for five weeks, with little indication that Iran would comply with U.S. demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy supplies. The sudden shift in Trump's stance may reflect both internal and external pressures, including warnings from legal scholars and international officials about potential war crimes. Meanwhile, Democrats have intensified calls for Trump's removal from office, citing concerns over his mental stability and threatening rhetoric, while Republicans have remained largely silent.

What to watch: The upcoming two-week period will be crucial as the U.S. and Iran navigate the terms of the ceasefire and any potential further diplomatic negotiations.