President Donald Trump announced Tuesday night that he would halt U.S. military strikes against Iran for two weeks, with the suspension less than 90 minutes before the 8 p.m. ET deadline he had set for a mass bombing of the country.
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The suspension follows days of escalating threats that have alarmed lawmakers and allies. Earlier Tuesday, President Trump warned that “the entire civilization will die tonight,” a comment that prompted more than 50 Democrats to call for his removal from office under the 25th Amendment, arguing that he was telegraphing genocide by blurring the lines between Iran’s government and people and raising concerns about his fitness to serve as president.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the suspension came after conversations with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, who asked him to delay preparations for deploying what he called “destructive forces.”
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President Trump said the suspension was conditional on Iran agreeing to the “full, immediate and safe opening” of the Strait of Hormuz. He described the move as a “two-sided ceasefire” and asserted that U.S. military goals have already been “achieved and exceeded.”
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He also said the U.S. had received a “10-point proposal” from Iran that he called a “workable basis” for a broader deal, adding that “almost all” of the major issues have already been resolved and that a two-week halt would bring the deal to fruition.
Iranian officials have agreed to a conditional ceasefire framework outlined by President Trump.
A statement released by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and shared by President Trump outlined a framework for a mutual ceasefire, saying Iran would cease “defensive operations” if attacks against Iran cease. The statement by Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be allowed for two weeks in coordination with the Iranian military.
Advocacy groups quickly called on lawmakers not to rely on Trump’s announcement. Leah Greenberg, Indivisible’s co-executive director, said Congress needs to act to rein in the president, warning that “no member of Congress should trust the ‘ceasefire’ announced by President Trump on social media.”
“Congress must act now before President Trump does more damage,” Greenberg added. She is calling on Congressional leaders to come back from recess and pass the War Powers Resolution.
This story is in development and will be updated with additional reporting.
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
