United States President Donald Trump has dramatically rowed back on threats to "end" Iran's civilization - however, the Gulf nation's state television has claimed the move represents a humiliating defeat for Trump's military ambitions.
Trump's extreme threats to "demolish" Iran's civilian infrastructure including bridges and power plants were deemed "illegal" by US lawmakers and ex-military chiefs, and commentators were left aghast at rhetoric on Tuesday, which was interpreted as indicating the President's willingness to use nuclear weapons against Iran.
However, early on Wednesday Trump announced he was willing to enter a two-week ceasefire on the condition that the Islamic regime opens the critical Strait of Hormuz to shipping. He stated that a ten-point plan proposed by Iran was "workable."
Iranian state news agency IRNA posted on its X account minutes after Trump's announcement on Wednesday: "US President Donald Trump has once again retreated from his own threats, stating, 'I agree to halt bombings and attacks against Iran for a period of two weeks, and this will be a mutual ceasefire.'"
NBC News correspondent Matt Bradley pointed out on his X account that Iranian state television is running a banner stating: "Trump's humiliating retreat from anti-Iran rhetoric; Trump has accepted Iran's conditions to end the war!"
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted a statement on behalf of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was also posted by IRNA and seemed to accept Trump's conditions:
"If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations.
"For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran's Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations."
Iran's ten-point list of demands has been made public after Donald Trump agreed a last-minute ceasefire and suspended military strikes against the country.
Trump confirmed the deal in a Truth Social post, announcing he had called off an imminent attack.
"I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double-sided CEASEFIRE!" he wrote.
The president said Iran's proposals provided a foundation for a lasting agreement.
"We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated."
