TRUMP: ‘A BIG DAY FOR WORLD PEACE!’: Just before President Donald Trump’s apocalyptic threat that Iran’s “whole civilization would die” in massive U.S. bombing campaign was supposed to begin at 8 p.m., Trump announced on Truth Social that at the request of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he was suspending sending “destructive force” into Iran for two weeks, contingent on Iran “agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz.”
“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 Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East,” Trump wrote. “We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. 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.”
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That 10-point plan, according to draft released this week has the following provisions:
1. Guarantee that Iran will not be attacked again
2. Permanent end to the war, not just a ceasefire
3. End to Israeli strikes in Lebanon
4. Lifting of all US sanctions on Iran
5. End to all regional fighting against Iranian allies
6. In return, Iran would open the Strait of Hormuz
7. Iran would impose a Hormuz fee of $2 million per ship
8. Iran would split these fees with Oman
9. Iran to provide rules for safe passage through Hormuz
10. Iran to use Hormuz fees for reconstruction instead of reparations
Trump was ebullient this morning, gushing on Truth Social in a seven-exclamation point post: “A big day for World Peace! Iran wants it to happen, they’ve had enough! Likewise, so has everyone else! The United States of America will be helping with the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz. There will be lots of positive action! Big money will be made. Iran can start the reconstruction process. We’ll be loading up with supplies of all kinds, and just ‘hangin’ around’ in order to make sure that everything goes well. I feel confident that it will. Just like we are experiencing in the U.S., this could be the Golden Age of the Middle East!!!”
US AND IRAN AGREE TO TWO-WEEK CEASEFIRE AFTER TRUMP ACCEPTS ‘WORKABLE’ 10-POINT PLAN
IRAN: ‘OUR POWERFUL ARMED FORCES WILL CEASE THEIR DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS’: In response to a post on X by Shehbaz Sharif, in which the Pakistani prime minister announced that the U.S. and Iran had agreed to an “immediate ceasefire,” and had been invited to Islamabad this Friday to “further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also released released a short statement on behalf of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
“In response to the brotherly request of PM Sharif in his tweet, and considering the request by the U.S. for negotiations based on its 15-point proposal as well as announcement by POTUS about acceptance of the general framework of Iran’s 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations, I hereby declare on behalf of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council: If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations,” Araghchi wrote, while noting, “For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations.”
A separate statement from the General Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council, which seemed to be aimed at a domestic audience, was much more bellicose and boastful, claiming that the “enemy has been begging for over a month to halt the fires of Iran and the fierce resistance.”
“Today, we herald to the great Iranian people that most of the war’s objectives have been nearly achieved, and that your brave sons have driven the enemy into a historic paralysis and permanent defeat,” the statement said in the name of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. “If the enemy’s surrender on the battlefield is transformed into a decisive political achievement in the negotiations, we will celebrate this great historic victory together; otherwise, we will continue the fight side by side until all the demands of the Iranian people are fulfilled.”
IRAN TO CHARGE FEES AND COORDINATE SAFE PASSAGE THROUGH STRAIT OF HORMUZ AMID CEASEFIRE
TRUMP’S FURY UNLEASHED: Upon seeing the reporting of the Iranian claims of victory on CNN, Trump, who has portrayed the ceasefire as a total victory for the U.S., flew into a rage and immediately accused CNN of “knowingly false and dangerous statement pretending it came from the upper levels of the Iranian Government.”
The statement in question appears genuine and was widely reported worldwide; other sites posted video of it being read on Iranian television. But Trump insisted it was fake, and that “CNN just got caught cheating.”
“It was totally made up and posted, as a headline, for purpose of, perhaps, inflaming a very delicate situation. It was a new, trouble making site from Nigeria,” Trump said in an 11:39 p.m. post on Truth Social.
In an earlier 8 p.m. post, Trump suggested CNN would be investigated for its reporting. “Authorities are looking to determine whether or not a crime was committed on the issuance of the Fake CNN World Statement, or was it a sick rogue player?” he wrote. “CNN is being ordered to immediately withdraw this Statement with full apologies for their, as usual, terrible ‘reporting.’”
“The statement in question was obtained by CNN from Iranian officials and reported on multiple Iranian state media outlets. We received the statement from specific official Iranian spokespeople who are known to us,” CNN said in a statement.”
CNN’s senior international correspondent Matthew Chance said he followed up with the Iranian foreign ministry, which sent him a document identical to the statement published on social media. “So I think we’re pretty confident, very confident that this document is authentic.”
TRUMP ORDERS CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO CNN STORY THAT SAID IRAN CLAIMED VICTORY
Good Wednesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com.
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HAPPENING TODAY: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine will brief reporters at the Pentagon this morning at 8 a.m. on the military aspects of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement.
In particular, what Trump means when he says the U.S. will be “loading up with supplies of all kinds, and just ‘hangin’ around’ in order to make sure that everything goes well.” And there are sure to be questions about Iran’s statement that “safe passage” through the Strait of Hormuz will be coordinated by Iran’s military.
The briefing will be livestreamed on the Pentagon’s website.
ALSO TODAY: RUTTE TO GET AN EARFUL: NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is on the White House schedule for an Oval Office sit-down with President Trump, who is none too happy with NATO these days, and has been making noises about withdrawing from the alliance, whether Congress approves or not.
“NATO didn’t help us,” Trump complained at his Easter Monday press conference. “Mark Rutte, he’s a great person,” Trump said, expressing his personal affection for NATO’s civilian leaders, but “NATO is a paper tiger.”
Trump said he’s over NATO, and he’s still smarting over his inability to take over Greenland and make it part of the United States. “It all began with, if you want to know the truth, Greenland. We want Greenland. They don’t want to give it to us, and I said, ‘Bye bye.’”
Rutte also has meetings today with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Defense Secretary Hegseth.
WORLD REACTION: Here is a sample of social media posts from around the world to the news of the temporary U.S.-Iran ceasefire:
“The United States has told Israel that it is committed to achieving these goals, shared by the US, Israel and Israel’s regional allies, in the upcoming negotiations. The two-weeks ceasefire does not include Lebanon.” — post by the Office of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
“In accordance with directives from the political echelon, the IDF has ceased fire in the operation against Iran, and is highly prepared to respond defensively against any violation. Overnight, the IDF conducted a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting missile launch sites and launchers across Iran, in order to significantly degrade its launching capabilities. Simultaneously, in Lebanon, the IDF is continuing to conduct targeted ground operations against Hezbollah. The IDF will continue to operate across all fronts to defend Israel.” — post by the Israeli Defense Forces
“I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world. Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz.” — post by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
“The U.S.–Iran agreement on a ceasefire is a step back from the brink after weeks of escalation. It creates a much-needed chance to tone down threats, stop missiles, restart shipping, and create space for diplomacy towards a lasting agreement. The Strait of Hormuz must be open for passage again. I spoke to Pakistani Foreign Minister @MIshaqDar50 and thanked him for securing this initial deal. The door to mediation must remain open, as the underlying causes of the war remain unresolved. The EU stands ready to support those efforts and is in touch with partners in the region. I will discuss this in Saudi Arabia today.” — post by Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas
“The ceasefire, with the acceptance of the general principles desired by Iran, was the fruit of the blood of our great martyred leader Khamenei and the achievement of the presence of all the people on the scene. From today onward, we will also remain together. Whether in the field of diplomacy, whether in the field of defense, whether on the street scene, and whether in the arena of service provision.” — post by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
THE RUNDOWN:
Washington Examiner: US and Iran agree to two-week ceasefire after Trump accepts ‘workable’ 10-point plan
Washington Examiner: Trump orders criminal investigation into CNN story that said Iran claimed victory
Washington Examiner: Iran to charge fees and coordinate safe passage through Strait of Hormuz amid ceasefire
Washington Examiner: Vance insists ‘Orban is going to win’ as Hungary opposition says results ‘not written in Washington’
Washington Examiner: Dan Driscoll has no intent to resign as Army secretary despite Hegseth tension
Washington Examiner: North Korea fires two ballistic missiles amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula
Washington Examiner: MTG says Vance would differ on Iran amid calls for Cabinet to remove Trump
Washington Examiner: Over 30 Democrats want Trump removed using 25th Amendment over Iran war
Washington Examiner: Trump says it’s illegal’ for Iran to use human shields around power plants
Washington Examiner: Pope rips ‘truly unacceptable’ Trump threat to end Iranian civilization
AP: Pakistan says Iran confirms attendance at talks with US
AP: Saudi Arabia calls for unrestricted transit through Strait of Hormuz
Wall Street Journal: The Day Trump’s Iran Threat Gripped the World
New York Times: How Trump Took the U.S. to War With Iran
New York Times: 6 Takeaways From the Story of Trump’s Decision to Go to War With Iran
Bloomberg: Injured US Airman in Iran Used Boeing Device to Signal Rescuers
Breaking Defense: The HH-60W Helped Rescue a Pilot in Iran. Here’s Why the Air Force Might Not Buy More.
DefenseScoop: CENTCOM Commander Says ‘Hundreds’ of US Drones Are Involved in Iran War
Defense News: US Navy Seeks 1,200% Increase in Tomahawk Missile Procurement for 2027
Task & Purpose: Military’s New Budget Could Give 7% Pay Raise to Most Junior Troops
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force Resets Modernization Plan for Its Aging Satellite Control Network
Defense News: Outpaced by the US, China’s Military Places Selective Bets on Artificial Intelligence
Breaking Defense: Suspect in Space? Analysis Finds 75 ‘Unusual’ Moves by Chinese Satellites in Nearly 10 Years
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force Wants a New, Affordable Standoff Attack Missile by 2033
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Department of Air Force Cuts Transition Window for Civilian Job Training
THE CALENDAR:
WEDNESDAY | APRIL 8
11 a.m. 1400 L St. NW — Atlantic Council discussion: “North Macedonia’s Transatlantic Priorities,” with North Macedonia Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timco Mucunski https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/foreign-minister-timco-mucunski
THURSDAY | APRIL 9
10:30 a.m. — Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies virtual discussion on a new report: “Rebuilding America’s Air Force: Balancing the Air Force’s Combat Force for Peer Conflict,” with Lt. Gen. Jason Armagost, deputy commander, Air Force Global Strike Command; Mark Gunzinger, director of future concepts and capability assessments, Mitchell Institute; and retired Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula, dean of the Mitchell Institute https://afa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/
4 p.m. 2121 K St. NW — International Institute for Strategic Studies discussion: “What’s Next for Cuba?” with Daniel Erikson, senior adviser at Covington & Burling; Ricardo Herrero, executive director, Cuban Study Group; and Michael Carpenter, IISS senior fellow https://www.iiss.org/events/2026/04/whats-next-for-cuba
5 p.m. 1521 16th St. NW — Institute of World Politics discussion: “The Realities of Iran,” with William Murray, former senior CIA operations officer https://www.iwp.edu/events/the-realities-of-iran
FRIDAY | APRIL 10
10 a.m. — National Institute for Deterrence Studies virtual seminar: “The Hypersonic Imperative: Restoring U.S. Advantage in a Contested Battlespace,” with Michael White, former principal director for hypersonics at the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering https://thinkdeterrence.com/events/the-hypersonic-imperative-restoring-u-s-advantage
11 a.m. 1763 N St. NW — Middle East Institute discussion: “Iran, Hizballah, and Lebanon’s Future,” with Kenneth Pollack, MEI vice president for policy; Matthew Levitt, senior fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy; and Aram Nerguizian, senior associate, Center for Strategic and International Studies https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/
11:30 a.m. — Washington Institute for Near East Policy virtual forum, “In the Dark and in Danger: Iran’s Internet Shutdown and Wartime Repression,” with Mahsa Alimardani, associate director of technology threats and opportunities at WITNESS; Nazanin Boniadi, human rights advocate, actress, and producer; and Roya Boroumand, co-founder and executive director, Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran https://washingtoninstitute-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/
