Trump Declares 'Total Victory' After US-Iran Ceasefire Deal
Donald Trump has claimed the United States achieved a "total and complete victory" following an agreement with Iran to establish a two-week ceasefire, which includes the reopening of the critical Strait of Hormuz. Both the US president and Iranian officials have portrayed the ceasefire as a success, with Trump's announcement causing oil prices to plummet below $100 per barrel for the first time in days.
Ceasefire Terms and Regional Reactions
In a late-night post on Truth Social, Trump hailed the deal as a "big day for world peace," stating that the US would assist with managing traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and predicting significant economic benefits. He had previously issued stark warnings to Iran, threatening to destroy bridges and power plants if Tehran did not meet his deadline, asserting that "a whole civilization will die tonight."
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the ceasefire, indicating that Iran's armed forces would cease defensive operations if attacks against the country were halted. Israel expressed support for Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran but clarified that the ceasefire "does not include Lebanon," where Defence Minister Israel Katz affirmed ongoing military operations.
International Calls for Peace and Ongoing Conflicts
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties to adhere to the ceasefire terms to foster lasting peace in the region, emphasizing the need to protect civilians under international law. His personal envoy, Jean Arnault, is actively engaged in the area to support peace efforts.
Despite the ceasefire, violence persists in Lebanon, where an Israeli airstrike in Sidon killed at least eight people and wounded 22 others, according to Lebanon's health ministry. The Israeli military did not immediately disclose the target of the strike, amid reports of over 1,530 fatalities in the recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Militia Halts and Diplomatic Moves
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed militias, announced it would suspend operations for two weeks in solidarity with the ceasefire. These groups have been responsible for numerous attacks on US bases in Iraq since the war began.
In diplomatic developments, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the release of American journalist Shelley Kittleson, who was kidnapped by the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah in Baghdad. Trump also suggested that China played a role in persuading Iran to negotiate, with Chinese officials reportedly engaging with intermediaries like Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt to encourage a ceasefire.
Criticism and Media Tensions
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized Trump's "civilisation-ending" threats as inappropriate and potentially damaging. Meanwhile, Trump threatened CNN over its coverage of Iran's claims of victory, accusing the network of inaccuracies without providing evidence, as FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr called for accountability.
Trump further expressed optimism about the ceasefire, envisioning a "Golden Age of the Middle East" and highlighting opportunities for reconstruction and economic growth in the region.
