The ceasefire facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump between Iran and Israel appears to be holding, a day after both nations indicated an end to their airstrikes. Each party claimed victory following a 12-day conflict that saw U.S. involvement with airstrikes aimed at dismantling Iran’s uranium-enrichment facilities.
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Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s Middle East envoy, shared optimistic news last night, stating that talks between the United States and Iran were “promising.” He expressed hope for a sustainable peace agreement. “We are already talking to each other, not just directly but also through intermediaries,” Mr. Witkoff noted in an interview on Fox News’ ‘The Ingraham Angle.’
The conflict began with an unexpected aerial bombardment by Israel on June 13, which targeted key figures in Iran’s military leadership and significant nuclear sites. In a historic first, Iran retaliated with a barrage of missiles that breached Israel’s defenses.
While the Iranian assault resulted in 28 fatalities in Israel, it was reported that the conflict led to 610 deaths and nearly 5,000 injuries in Iran, where the extent of the devastation remains unverified due to stringent media limitations.
Two days before the conflict ended, the United States joined the fray, deploying bunker-busting bombs on crucial nuclear sites, including one famously buried beneath a mountain. President Trump articulated that these actions had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, thereby effectively removing a principal concern from future negotiations. However, Iran has consistently denied any ambitions for nuclear weaponry.
Despite this, questions linger about the actual impact of the U.S. strikes, with insiders from the Defense Intelligence Agency suggesting that key elements of Iran’s centrifuge operations and enriched uranium supplies remained intact. President Trump termed these intelligence assessments as “inconclusive.”
Nevertheless, the abrupt conclusion of hostilities, coupled with a setback to Iran’s nuclear ambitions—a longstanding worry for Western nations—offered President Trump an opportunity to showcase perceived success on the international stage, particularly at the NATO summit in The Hague. Following the ceasefire announcement, he took credit for its maintenance, even invoking colorful language in a live broadcast to emphasize the confusion among the conflicting parties.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a strong statement, declaring that the conflict had successfully neutralized the nuclear threat against Israel. “We have removed two immediate existential threats: the threat of nuclear annihilation and the threat from 20,000 ballistic missiles,” he stated confidently.
In contrast, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian proclaimed a “great victory” for Iran, communicating with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Iran was willing to resolve differences with the U.S., according to the IRNA news agency.
During the war, both Netanyahu and Trump hinted that a favorable outcome could lead to the overthrow of Iran’s clerical leadership if there was no compliance. Israel undertook strikes against locations associated with domestic repression, including Evin prison, where political prisoners are housed. However, post-ceasefire, Trump indicated a reluctance to instigate “regime change,” stating that such an upheaval would likely lead to chaos at a time when stability was paramount.
The war also catalyzed discussions within Iran regarding a successor to the aging Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with prominent reformist Hassan Khomeini emerging as a potential candidate viewed as a conciliatory figure.
In response to the conflict, Iranian authorities quickly moved to assert control, executing three individuals convicted of colluding with Israel’s Mossad agency and smuggling equipment for assassinations. During the conflict, reports indicated that 700 individuals were apprehended for alleged ties to Israel.
As hostilities subsided, Israel lifted restrictions on domestic military activities, and Ben Gurion Airport reopened. Similarly, Iranian airspace was also set to resume operations.
In a significant policy shift, Israel’s defense minister designated Iran’s central bank as a “terror organization,” aiming to disrupt funding channels for militantly aligned groups throughout the region. Minister Israel Katz explained that this move was part of a broader strategy to undermine the financial foundation of Iran’s regime.
As the smoke clears, oil prices have shown signs of stability after recent declines, as investors reassess the ceasefire’s durability and the decreased likelihood of an Iranian blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.
In addition, NewMed indicative reports that the Leviathan natural gas field, which supplies gas to Egypt and Jordan and had been offline due to the conflict, will soon recommence operations. Two significant gas fields, Leviathan and Energean’s Karish, once deployed for extensive exports, were shut down during the fighting, leaving only the domestic-focused Tamar field operational. The Israeli Energy Ministry announced that resuming activities at these larger fields would enhance state revenues and improve overall energy management.
While Israeli gas accounts for approximately 15-20% of Egypt’s consumption, interruptions had even compelled Egyptian fertilizer producers to halt their operations. Eyal Zamir, chief of staff for Israel’s armed forces, indicated that although a “significant chapter” of conflict had closed, the campaign against Iran was far from finished, reaffirming a shift of focus back toward Gaza.
“The challenges remain, but we are committed to safeguarding our nation and pursuing stability in the region,” he concluded.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
