New Delhi, April 8 -- The United States and Iran have reached a ceasefire deal on Tuesday evening (US Time), hours after President Donald Trump threatened to start wiping out Iran's "whole civilization" if it allowed vessels to pass safely through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

The ceasefire was announced by President Trump in a post on social media. Hours before the announcement, Pakistan, a mediator in the West Asia war, urged President Trump to stand down from the 8 pm Eastern time (5.30 AM IST on Wednesday) deadline he had set for Iran to accede to his demands.

Trump said he agreed to Pakistan's proposal, which calls for a two-week cease-fire and the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Over the next two weeks, Trump said that ...