Late Tuesday, ahead of a scheduled catastrophe, Pres. Donald Trump called off the bombardment of Iran and agreed to a two-week ceasefire. He'd threatened to use a level of force strong enough to destroy Iranian "civilization" using language and tone unheard of from past U.S. leaders or high-powered Christians. A 10-day ultimatum ended today. Trump said in a statement he was cooperating with a request from Pakistani negotiators. He said he received a workable 10-point plan from Iran and will work to finalize it over the next two weeks if Tehran agreed and the Straight of Hormuz was re-opened. According to the Associated Press, Egyptian, Pakistani and Turkish mediators had sent Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff a proposal calling for a 45-day ceasefire and the reopening of the strait that was rejected. The Pentagon is expected to provide updated details Wednesday morning.
The U.S. Delegation, led by Ambassador Troy Fitrell , Senior Bureau Official for African Affairs, included the senior-most officials advancing U.S. commercial engagement across Africa: Massad Boulos , Senior Advisor for Africa Thomas Hardy , Acting Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency Constance Hamilton , Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa Connor Coleman , Head of Investments and Chief of Staff, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation Tamara Maxwell , Senior Vice President for Small Business, Export-Import Bank of the United States The record turnout made clear that both U.S. and African leaders share a strong commitment to significantly expanding trade and investment. The U.S. objective at the Summit was to secure key deals and commitments for U.S. companies and establish the conditions to boost U.S. exports and investment in Africa — advancing mutual prosperity in line with the Trump Administration’s Commercial Diploma...