Ending the 12 day intense conflict between Iran & Israel, a shaky ceasefire was brokered through diplomatic efforts involving Trump’s team, consisting of Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Now, although the truce has gone into its second day, deep mistrust is still persistent due to the lack of clear terms and ongoing regional tensions.
The ceasefire initially did not work. Israel reported Iranian missile launches which for the greater part was denied by Iran. Although Israel conducted limited retaliatory strikes, it was clear neither side was willing to stop. Trump expressed frustration on his social media platform, publicly urging both nations to ‘calm down’ and adhere to the truce. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated Iran would respect the ceasefire if Israel too does so. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under pressure from Trump, limited further strikes to a single radar target to avoid escalation.
The human toll has been significant and both nations have been claiming victory. Iran’s parliament speaker called the ceasefire a ‘victory’. Israel on the other hand said that it met its war goals.
The Israel- Iran conflict had escalated after US airstrikes targeted three Iranian nuclear sites, including the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Facility, in response to Iran’s advancing nuclear program. A preliminary US intelligence report, cited by Reuters, suggested the strikes set Iran’s nuclear ambitions back only by months, as opposed to Trump’s claim that the program was ‘completely obliterated’. Iran retaliated with a missile attack on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military base in the Middle East, though the attack was labelled laughable by Trump.
