The United States and Iran reached a last-minute cease-fire agreement, halting military strikes after President Trump threatened to destroy a 'whole civilization' if Iran didn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This two-week deal, brokered with Israeli input, came after Trump's administration initially planned a broader campaign targeting Iran's leadership. Oil prices plummeted and Asian stocks surged on the news, reflecting relief in global markets. However, the agreement doesn't resolve underlying tensions, and safe passage through the Strait remains conditional on Iranian cooperation. Trump's threats, seen by intelligence officials as detached from reality, forced an Iranian response but left critical issues unresolved.