President Donald Trump said Tuesday 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” on the condition that Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier, Trump had warned that “a whole civilization would die tonight” [Tuesday] unless Iran agreed to a deal before his deadline.
He had threatened massive U.S. attacks on civilian infrastructure and brushed off concerns about possible war crimes.
■ IRAN TO ALLOW PASSAGE THROUGH STRAIT
Iran said Tuesday that it would allow safe passage of marine traffic through the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks if vessels coordinate with Iranian armed forces.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said Iran would stop military attacks as long as it was not attacked.
■ U.S. STRIKES KHARG ISLAND
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.
■ U.S. JOURNALIST FREED
The Iran-backed militia group Kataib Hezbollah said in a statement on Tuesday that it would release American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Iraq last week.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. was relieved that this American is now free and was working to support her safe departure from Iraq.
■ 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.
[NBC]
