Pentagon Announces Two-Week Ceasefire with Iran Following ‘Epic Fury’ Operation

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine held a press briefing at the Pentagon on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, to detail the current state of U.S. Military operations in Iran. The briefing follows an announcement by President Trump to suspend bombings and attacks against Iran for a two-week period, asserting that the United States has already met and exceeded its military objectives.

The Terms of the Ceasefire

President Trump announced late Tuesday that the U.S. Would implement a two-week pause on military strikes. Under the terms of this agreement, there will be no further enrichment of uranium. The U.S. Will work with Iran to locate and remove deeply buried nuclear “dust,” which the president associated with B-2 bombers.

Secretary Hegseth emphasized that even as the Pentagon’s primary job in Iran is currently finished, the U.S. Military remains in position. He stated that troops are prepared to defend, go on offense, or restart operations at a moment’s notice to ensure Iran complies with the agreement. Hegseth noted that “it takes time sometimes for a ceasefire to take hold,” but expressed hope that the current agreement will hold.

Impact of Operation ‘Epic Fury’

During the briefing, Secretary Hegseth described the U.S. Military campaign, referred to as “Epic Fury,” as a “historic and overwhelming victory on the battlefield.” According to Hegseth, the operation achieved several critical goals in less than 40 days:

• Military Neutralization: The operation decimated Iran’s military, rendering it combat ineffective for years to come.
• Rapid Dismantling: One of the world’s largest militaries was dismantled in a short timeframe.
• Strategic Victory: Hegseth stated that Iran proved “utterly incapable” of defending its territory, people, or itself.

Hegseth characterized the victory as a turning point, stating that Iran had been a threat to the free world for 47 years, but that this would no longer be the case “on our watch.”

Context of the Conflict

The conflict began on February 28, 2026. Leading up to the ceasefire, tensions escalated as the U.S. Targeted critical infrastructure, including Kharg Island, which handles approximately 90% of Iran’s oil. President Trump had previously set a deadline of 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday for the regime to reach a deal regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil.

Key Takeaways

• Duration: The current ceasefire is set for two weeks.
• Nuclear Restrictions: The deal prohibits uranium enrichment and requires the removal of buried nuclear materials.
• Military Readiness: U.S. Forces remain deployed and ready to resume offensive operations if the ceasefire is violated.
• Outcome: The U.S. Claims that Operation Epic Fury has rendered the Iranian military combat ineffective.

Looking Forward

The international community now watches to see if the two-week window leads to a permanent resolution or a return to hostilities. The U.S. Administration maintains that the military objectives have been achieved, leaving the burden of compliance on the Iranian regime to ensure the ceasefire holds.