The United States and Iran have agreed to a 14-day ceasefire mediated by Pakistan, a turnaround for US President Donald Trump after his threat to destroy Iran's "whole civilization."

Here's what happened in the hours before the ceasefire was announced: 

- On Tuesday morning, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will." He renewed the threat as his 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz approached, warning that the US would destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran within four hours if Tehran did not comply.

- In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that if the US army crosses the red line of attacking civilian targets, Iran's response "will go beyond the region."

- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said later that 14 million Iranians, including himself, have volunteered to sacrifice their lives in the war.

- Facing Trump's threat of the death of "whole civilization" and attacks on civilian infrastructure, Iranians reportedly demonstrated in front of power plants and on major bridges across the country.

- US Vice President JD Vance said during a visit to Budapest that Washington remained confident it would receive a response from Iran before Trump's deadline expired.

- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned Trump's threat to annihilate "a whole civilization" and civilian infrastructure in Iran, saying such rhetoric was "sickening" and warning that following through on the remarks would amount to "the most serious international crimes."

- Speaking on French radio station France Info, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned that any strike on civilian infrastructure would trigger "a new phase of escalation and reprisals."

- Several Gulf countries tightened security and took precautionary measures amid rising regional tensions. Kuwait's Ministry of Interior called on citizens and expatriates to remain indoors during overnight hours as part of precautionary security measures. The US Embassy in Bahrain directed all US government employees in Manama to shelter in place and advised American citizens in Bahrain to do the same until further notice, citing heightened regional security concerns.

- Hours before Trump's deadline, the Tehran Times reported that Iran had suspended all diplomatic and indirect lines of communication with the US. But the Iranian media outlet later reported that diplomatic and indirect channels of talks with the US were not closed, signalling active efforts to attain a ceasefire.

- A US official told Fox News that contact with Iran was ongoing and described the discussions as positive. "We are absolutely in touch with [Iran]. Absolutely. [The talks] have been positive. If we get lucky, we will have something by the end of the day.”

- Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported that Tehran had conveyed its own 10-point plan to end the fighting through Pakistan, a key mediator.

- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X: "To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks. Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture."

- Finally, less than two hours before Trump's deadline, Iran and the US agreed to a two-week ceasefire. 

- In a statement posted on X, Sharif said the ceasefire had taken effect immediately. "I warmly welcome the sagacious gesture and extend deepest gratitude to the leadership of both the countries and invite their delegations to Islamabad on Friday, 10th April 2026, to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes," Sharif added.

(With input from agencies)