What to know
- TRUMP AGREES TO EXTENSION: President Donald Trump said this evening, just hours ahead of his deadline, that he had agreed “to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks.” Earlier, he had warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight” unless Iran agrees to a deal before his deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz at 8 p.m. ET. He has threatened massive U.S. attacks on civilian infrastructure and brushed off concerns about possible war crimes.
- U.S. STRIKES KHARG ISLAND: Even before Trump’s deadline, an intense wave of strikes was reported on bridges across Iran and on Kharg Island, the country’s key oil export hub. The U.S. military struck dozens of military targets on the island overnight, a U.S. official told NBC News.
- IRAN DEFIANT: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned it would “deprive the U.S. and its allies of the region’s oil and gas for years” if Trump follows through with his threats. Officials called on young people to form human chains to protect power plants.
- U.S. JOURNALIST TO BE FREED: The Iran-backed militia group Kataib Hezbollah said in a statement today that it will release American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Iraq last week. The group said her release would be “on the condition that she leaves the country immediately.”
- DEATH TOLL: More than 3,400 people have been killed across the Middle East. Over 1,500 people have been killed in Lebanon, and 23 have died in Israel. Iranian officials have not released a recent death toll, but the U.S.-based rights group HRANA put the total of those killed at almost 3,400, including more than 1,600 civilians. Thirteen U.S. service members have been killed, and two more died of noncombat causes.
- INSIGHTS AND ANALYSIS: Get exclusive analysis and insight into the Middle East conflict by becoming an NBC News subscriber.
Trump agrees to suspend attacks for two weeks if Iran opens Strait of Hormuz
Trump posted on Truth Social that he is suspending attacks on Iran for two weeks if the Islamic Republic opens the Strait of Hormuz.
“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 wrote.
Trump 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. We received a 10-point proposal from Iran and believe it is a workable basis for negotiation. 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. On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the Countries of the Middle East, it is an Honor to have this long-term problem close to resolution. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Diplomacy on Iran war takes ‘step forward,’ Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan says
Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghaddam, said that diplomacy on the Iran war had taken “a step forward” in a post on X.
“As of now, a step forward from the critical, sensitive stage …” he wrote, without providing additional details. “In the next stage, respect and comity should replace rhetoric and redundancy.”
Earlier, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged President Donald Trump to extend today’s deadline for Iran by two weeks “to allow diplomacy to run its course.”
Sharif also asked Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks as a gesture of goodwill.
Top of page picture: Aftermath of Israeli-American strikes that, according to local media, destroyed the Rafi-Nia Synagogue and nearby residential buildings in Tehran on Tuesday.
Thank God for the small mercy of Herr Trump deciding to defer bombing 92 million men, women, and children back to the Stone Age.
Destroying a civilization in fact as the devout Don declared, the world, and the Iranian people must be relieved with Trump’s sainthood, albeit temporary. Mother Teresa doesn’t have a look in.
In the meantime, taking out their transport links such as train line and road bridges will help to remind them that God is watching, along with the Easter Bunny.