The 40-day long devastating war between Iran and the United States has finally reached a tentative standstill. With the crucial Strait of Hormuz effectively choked, global trade had come to a standstill. In a major breakthrough, President Donald Trump announced a “conditional ceasefire” on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling it a “great day for the world.”

On Tuesday, Trump declared that Washington would suspend all military strikes for the next two weeks, provided Iran ensures the complete and safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. This is a significant shift in tone for Trump, who had previously threatened to “destroy entire civilizations” if Iran did not comply. He made it clear that the pause is strictly contingent on a guaranteed safety agreement for the global trade route.

However, the mood in Tehran remains defiant. While agreeing to secure the maritime corridor for the next fortnight, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council warned that this does not signify the end of the conflict. “Our fingers are still on the trigger,” the council stated, adding that any violation of the truce terms by the U.S. would met with an “overwhelming force.” This fragile de-escalation offers a brief window for global markets to breathe, though the shadow of war still looms large over West Asia.