A two-week ceasefire, facilitated by Pakistan to end a 40-day confrontation between the United States and Iran, has begun under uncertain circumstances. Within hours of its activation, both sides have levied accusations of violating the agreed terms.
Iranian authorities are reportedly maintaining the closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz, a stance taken in response to Israeli actions in Lebanon, where 254 individuals were reported killed on Wednesday, according to Iranian state media. This development occurred despite the ceasefire agreement.
The conditional truce included a provision for the temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. However, maritime traffic has not seen an immediate increase in the period following the ceasefire announcement, indicating the strait remains effectively closed.
Iran's government indicated on Wednesday that safe passage through the strait would be coordinated with its armed forces. However, its coast guard issued a warning that any vessel attempting to transit without authorization would face destruction.
Israel has conducted significant strikes across Lebanon this Wednesday, resulting in over 250 fatalities. President Trump has since clarified that Lebanon was not part of the ceasefire agreement. Iran has issued threats of retaliation if these strikes are not ceased promptly.
Furthermore, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned of military action against regional "aggressors" should attacks in Lebanon, targeting the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, not be halted immediately. Concurrently, other Persian Gulf nations have reported numerous Iranian missile and drone attacks since the ceasefire was declared.
This escalation of hostilities, combined with uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz – which President Trump had demanded be reopened as a condition for the ceasefire – and disagreements over Iran's released 10-point framework for negotiations, highlight the precarious nature of the truce. Both sides have attempted to present the agreement as a success.
Israel, asserting that the truce did not encompass Lebanon, carried out one of its most substantial strikes against Hezbollah on Wednesday, following rocket barrages from the militant group into Israel in March, an act of solidarity with Iran. Pakistan, however, stated that the truce was intended to include Lebanon.
The fragility of the truce was further underscored by continued reports from Persian Gulf countries on Wednesday detailing dozens of Iranian missile and drone assaults. Iran's state media also reported an attack on an oil refinery located on Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf by unidentified "enemies."
Meanwhile, a senior U.S. military official, General Dan Caine, stated on Wednesday that American forces are prepared to re-engage in combat if Tehran fails to reach a negotiated settlement, as the Trump administration sought to characterize the conflict as a decisive U.S. victory over Iran.
These comments followed President Trump's decision on Tuesday night to halt a threatened, potentially catastrophic assault on Iran, just two hours before a self-imposed deadline for Tehran to reopen the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. U.S. and Iranian representatives are scheduled to convene in Pakistan for discussions on Friday.
"We hope that Iran chooses lasting peace," General Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, informed a press briefing at the Pentagon. "A ceasefire represents a pause, and the joint force remains ready, should orders be given or a call be made, to resume combat operations – with the same rapidity and precision demonstrated over the past 38 days," Reuters reported.
Despite the ceasefire, Saudi Arabia's critical East-West oil pipeline, currently its sole export route for crude oil, was impacted by an Iranian attack. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting nine drones within a few hours on Wednesday, while Kuwait announced that several of its facilities had been targeted by Iranian drones.
Tehran, having demonstrated its capacity to disrupt Gulf energy supplies through its control of the strait, has declared victory and indicated it will enter negotiations with a lack of trust in U.S. representatives.
"The enemy, in its unjust, illegal, and criminal war against the Iranian nation, has suffered an undeniable, historic, and crushing defeat," stated Iran's Supreme National Security Council in a public announcement.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, however, depicted Iran as militarily subdued and left with no alternative but to accept a deal. Hegseth and Caine discussed the significant damage inflicted upon Iran's defense industry, its navy, and its missile capabilities.
Hegseth mentioned that the U.S. military would remain in the Middle East to ensure Iran's adherence to the two-week ceasefire and to monitor the nation's enriched uranium reserves, adding that the United States would take action if necessary.
"President Trump had the authority to cripple Iran's entire economy within minutes, but he opted for clemency," Hegseth told reporters.
General Caine provided details of the tactical successes achieved by the U.S. military, including the destruction of approximately 80% of Iran's air defense systems, strikes on 90% of its arms manufacturing facilities, and the sinking of about 90% of its conventional naval fleet.
The U.S. maintains over 50,000 troops in the Middle East, with ongoing efforts to increase this presence. U.S. officials informed Reuters that the deployment of thousands of Marines to the region, originating from San Diego, is continuing.
During the 38-day conflict, 13 U.S. service members lost their lives, and 372 were injured. A significant majority of the injured personnel have since returned to active duty.
Emmanuel Addeh
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