Trump Threatens Strikes on Iranian Civilian Infrastructure with 8pm Deadline, Then Announces Two-Week Ceasefire

President Trump issued an ultimatum threatening devastating strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure—including bridges, power plants, and other non-military targets—with a self-imposed 8pm ET deadline. The threat of targeting civilian infrastructure raised serious concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law. Approximately 90 minutes before the deadline, Trump announced a two-week ceasefire contingent on Iran's 'COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING' of the Strait of Hormuz. The dramatic reversal came after Pakistan-mediated negotiations produced a 10-point Iranian peace proposal. Trump's shift from threatening Iran's 'annihilation' to accepting diplomatic talks exemplified his pattern of using extreme military threats as coercive negotiating tactics. Iran's Supreme National Security Council accepted the ceasefire the following day, with negotiations scheduled in Islamabad on April 10.

"I have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, provided Iran agrees to a COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran provided a 10-point peace proposal, which I believe is a workable basis on which to negotiate." — Announced approximately 90 minutes before his self-imposed 8pm ET deadline for strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure