Trump Takes Off Ramp, Accepts 14-Day Ceasefire, Straits Open Under Iran Control

April 8—Sources close to the White House report that President Donald Trump has been actively seeking an off ramp to get out of what is becoming an endless and increasingly dangerous war in Iran. So when one presented itself in the form of a Pakistani proposal for a 14-day ceasefire and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian control, he took it—90 minutes before the expiration of an 8:00 p.m. EDT deadline he had set before unleashing “civilization-killing” attacks on Iranian energy and transportation infrastructure.

In announcing his decision to call off the attacks, Trump also declared that he was willing to negotiate a total peace deal around the framework of a 10-point plan submitted by Iran. Sources report that Trump demanded Israel—whose aircraft were prepared to join the attack—stand down and accept the deal. They did so, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu’s office immediately stated that the ceasefire does not apply to ongoing Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, a position Tehran disputes.

The 10-point proposal, which has not yet been made public, reportedly focuses on immediate sanctions relief for Iran.

Trump Confronts the Reality of a No-Win War

Trump has come to the realization that Iran is a no-win situation, said a source close to the White House. Intelligence reports indicate no real possibility of regime change, even if U.S. troops were deployed on the ground. In fact, the war has strengthened support for Iran’s clerical leadership, which had been weakening before the fighting began. Military advisors have also warned there are no viable options to “control” the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran shut down effectively with limited attacks on commercial traffic.

Sources say Trump recently rejected what one called “a laughable plan” for a massive special forces raid to seize Iran’s supply of highly enriched uranium buried deep underground. “Trump said it’s fine to leave it there—they’d see it immediately if Iran tried to move it,” the source added.

Internal Battles Inside Trump’s Administration

Sources report that Trump’s talk of “bombing Iran back to the Stone Age” originates from a small clique inside the administration centered around the “raving Christian Zionist” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who is also pushing for a U.S. invasion. Hegseth’s views have put him in conflict with military leaders who oppose his messianic framing of war as “the hand of God.” Several officials have either resigned or threatened to resign over his conduct, despite his lack of military background.

Pakistan, serving as the key mediator between the warring parties, plans to organize face-to-face negotiations by the end of the week. Trump will send a delegation led by Vice President JD Vance and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Sources say that Iran has already won notable concessions, including authority over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump, they report, is comfortable allowing Iran to collect transit fees—funds that could support postwar reconstruction.

Sources have confirmed reports that China had intervened late in the process to urge Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz without any preconditions.

Regional Next Steps and Broader Peace Prospects

Iran has also insisted that any serious effort to stabilize the region must address the Palestinian issue and revive the creation of a Palestinian state. Sources say language to that effect may appear in the coming peace plan—though it is unclear whether Israel will accept it.

One source emphasized that if Trump now truly understands there is no military solution, a genuine peace initiative might arise—perhaps building on the Schiller Institute’s Oasis Plan, which focuses on water development as the foundation for long-term regional economic growth after the devastation of war.

In briefing Gulf Foreign ministers on the deal, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that he would like to convene a meeting that would include all the Gulf states and others, including Russia and China to discuss regional development plans.

As for the Iranian people, the source added, “They are silent now, but they will soon demand that their economic problems be solved. The irony is that the war has set this all back—which only shows the incompetence of policymakers and the dangers of nations meddling in the affairs of others.”