WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The United States has agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran following a proposal by Pakistan, with negotiations between the two sides likely to take place in Islamabad on Friday, US President Donald Trump announced.

The announcement came shortly before a stated US deadline for military action against Iran, marking a significant de-escalation in tensions in West Asia. Trump said the ceasefire would be "double-sided," halting both US strikes and Iranian retaliation for the agreed period.

In Tehran, Iran's Supreme National Security Council confirmed acceptance of the ceasefire and indicated readiness to begin negotiations with the US in Islamabad starting Friday.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally in...