Trump agrees to halt bombing of Iran for two weeks subject to Strait of Hormuz reopening

US president Donald Trump speaking with reporters. Picture: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

Donald Trump has agreed to a provisional two-week ceasefire in the Iran war after pulling back at the last minute from his warning that “a whole civilisation will die” unless Tehran met his demands.

The US president said he was suspending his threat to widen the military offensive to power plants and bridges, subject to Iran agreeing to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway.