United States President, Donald Trump, on Tuesday said he had agreed to suspend planned bombing operations against Iran for two weeks as part of a proposed ceasefire arrangement, contingent on Tehran fully reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

“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,” Mr. Trump wrote in a post issued barely an hour before his stated deadline to commence large-scale military action.

“This will be a double-sided ceasefire!” he added.

Mr. Trump explained that the decision followed what he described as the achievement of key military objectives and significant progress towards a broader peace agreement.

“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,” he said.

He further disclosed that Washington had received a 10-point proposal from Tehran, which he described as a viable foundation for continued negotiations.

“We received a 10-point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate,” he added.

The announcement followed a last-minute diplomatic intervention by Pakistan aimed at averting a large-scale United States assault on Iran. Earlier, Mr. Trump had warned that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” if an agreement was not reached.

“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 finalised and consummated,” he said.