Trump ceases fire, Netanyahu seizes fire

Yesterday, President Trump’s Truth Social messages reached its apogee — a polemic against Iran, threatening “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Washington’s demands weren’t met.

To understand more about the war, read this article

This was not the first time the President gave a deadline to Tehran. Trump had extended multiple such deadlines to Iran, demanding that the Strait of Hormuz be fully opened.

However, the Presidential threat did spark tension all across the globe. Bloody confrontation was certain. It was almost as if talks on the table had been a complete failure, and it was going to be horrific bombings again.

But hours after the highly inflammatory post, the Oval Office released a statement saying that it had reached a “double-sided ceasefire” wherein the U.S. was going to stop its offensive for (just) two weeks, and Iran would completely open the Strait of Hormuz. The deal was reportedly brokered by Islamabad, and in the statement, Trump mentions Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, who had requested Trump to halt his attacks.

The central point of this ceasefire is a 10-point peace plan from Iran — which Trump has not completely agreed with, stating “…believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate.”

The statement further said that the reason for the ceasefire was because all “military objectives” were met and had “exceeded”, and that Washington is “very far along with a definitive agreement concerning longterm peace with Iran.”

The ceasefire, as confirmed by American officials — including U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine — this is merely a pause, and not a definite end to the war.1

The 10-point peace plan, sourced from The Hindu2 is as follows:

Tel Aviv is also in agreement with this plan, except, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the ceasefire will not include Lebanon, implying Israeli forces would continue the offensive. Though, the Pakistani Prime Minister had previously said that everything including Lebanon was covered under the ceasefire.3

Trump has backed Netanyahu, and has said that Lebanon is not included in the ceasefire, and that it’s a “separate skirmish.”4

That being said, today, Israel launched surprise attacks on Beirut, despite the ongoing ceasefire. The Israeli army has stated that it will ‘continue to strike Hezbollah.’5

More than 60 locations have been struck in this assault, and is being termed one of the largest waves of Israeli strikes so far.6 Tel Aviv is allegedly targeting civilian locations — as further reports say over 100 strikes were dealt without prior warning for civilian evacuation in under 10 minutes.7 The health ministry has reported over 800 wounded, and at least 89 killed.8 Hospitals have been overwhelmed, Beirut reports.

Al Jazeera claims rockets were fired from southern Lebanon towards Israel. Reportedly, prior to the new strikes, Hezbollah officials said they were respecting the ceasefire and suspending attacks on Israel.9

Reportedly, Iran has also violated the ceasefire, as Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain all report fresh Iranian missile and drone strikes.10 This means that effectively, the ceasefire has broken down from virtually all fronts.

The Pakistani Prime Minister has commented, calling for restraint and respect to the ceasefire.11 He also said he had invited Iranian and U.S. delegation to talks in Islamabad, with acceptance from Tehran.12

There is a possibility, as claimed by Iran’s Tasnim news agency, that continued offensive on Lebanon could result in Tehran’s withdrawal from the ceasefire agreement.13

The situation is developing rapidly. What was said to be a ceasefire deal that would set the stage for long-term peace in West Asia, has now been violated by Israel, with retaliation from Iran and Lebanon.

Continued fighting could result in a complete breakdown of the agreement, and may even cause Iran to block the Strait of Hormuz once again, aggravating the global LPG crisis.

For a moment, if you don’t look at the sky for bombs, and instead look at the space for stars, you can contrast the situation on Earth with the view from NASA’s Artemis II. As humanity makes an unprecedented progression in space-exploration, with the farthest distance humans have ever traveled from this planet at an astounding 406,771 km — we are fighting against one another, killing each other. Once again, let’s work towards peace.