American President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he will halt a planned bombing campaign against Iran for two weeks. The decision was posted on his X account after discussions with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. Trump wrote, "Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and 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." He added, "This will be a double‑sided ceasefire! The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive agreement concerning long‑term peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East." Earlier that day, Trump warned that "a whole civilisation will die tonight" if Tehran missed an 8:00 p.m. eastern time deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz. Details later…
Trump's two‑week pause on strikes against Iran could stabilise oil markets, which would benefit Nigerian consumers and businesses that rely on cheaper fuel. The conditional nature of the ceasefire, tied to the Strait of Hormuz opening, means any reversal could quickly reverse any price relief.
