By Ephraim Agbo
So, the missiles have stopped flying—for now.
After nearly two chaotic weeks of airstrikes, covert assassinations, and global anxiety, Iran and Israel have hit the pause button. Thanks to some frantic shuttle diplomacy from the U.S. and Qatar, a ceasefire kicked in on June 24, 2025. And while it’s mostly holding, don’t be fooled: what we’re seeing is not peace. It’s a tense, uncomfortable silence—and just about everyone knows it.
🏅 Trump & Netanyahu Say: “We Won!”
If you ask President Donald Trump, this was a slam dunk.
Clearly enjoying the spotlight, he called the ceasefire a “monumental success for Western security.” Operation Midnight Hammer—a joint U.S.-Israel military strike—targeted Iran’s most prized nuclear sites using stealth bombers and Tomahawk missiles launched from submarines.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasted no time backing that narrative, claiming the threat from Iran had been "eliminated." He named key sites—Natanz, Isfahan, Arak, Fordow —that were supposedly taken out.
But not everyone’s popping champagne.
🧠 U.S. Intelligence: Hold Up—It’s Not That Simple
Behind the scenes, the mood is more cautious.
Leaked reports from the Pentagon and Defense Intelligence Agency suggest that the deepest parts of Iran’s nuclear program—like the Fordow facility, buried under a mountain—weren’t destroyed. Maybe dented, maybe delayed, but definitely not dismantled.
“Iran’s nuclear program has been dented, not dismantled,” one U.S. intel official told The New York Times.
What’s worse? The IAEA still doesn’t have full access to inspect what’s left, which means we don’t really know what Iran has cooking underground.
🇮🇷 Iran’s Official Response: Defiant on TV, Brutal on the Streets
Iran’s leaders are acting like nothing happened. But behind closed doors—and in the streets—it’s a different story.
Here’s what we know so far:
- Three people were executed in 48 hours for allegedly spying for Israel.
- Over 700 arrests have been made, most targeting online posts and perceived dissent.
- State-run TV aired “confessions” from people like a delivery rider and a car mechanic who allegedly worked for Mossad—seriously?
A Tehran resident said it best:
“What scares me more than Israeli bombs is a wounded regime. They lash out when they feel weak.”
Checkpoints are back, internet speeds are crawling, and fear is in the air. Civil society groups worry this could be the beginning of a second Green Revolution—with even harsher consequences than the last.
🇵🇸 Gaza? Still Burning.
Here’s the part that’s getting lost in the headlines: Gaza hasn’t seen any peace.
Israeli strikes have continued, hitting areas like Rafah and Jabalia, with civilian casualties mounting. Aid convoys? Some were shelled. Distribution centers? Crowded, chaotic, and vulnerable.
The U.S. has pledged $30 million to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, but aid workers say access is restricted and coordination is a mess. Many Palestinians feel completely abandoned—by Israel, by Arab leaders, and by the West.
🌍 What Are Others Saying?
🔸 Saudi Arabia & Gulf Allies
Saudi officials are keeping it diplomatic in public—but behind closed doors, they’re reportedly uneasy. They don’t like Israel acting unilaterally and fear it could spark wider instability. The UAE, too, has pushed for a diplomatic path with Iran, not more airstrikes.
🔸 Turkey
Turkey’s President Erdoğan didn’t hold back. He called Trump’s involvement “reckless” and warned the strikes could push Iran into Russia or China’s arms, upsetting the balance of power in the region.
🔸 United Nations
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the ceasefire but warned bluntly:
“Without a roadmap for disarmament and humanitarian protection, this is just a timeout.”
🔮 So... What Now?
- Israel wants ironclad proof that Iran’s program won’t be rebuilt—but there’s no verification system in place.
- Iran could double down on regional influence wars—in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon—as payback.
- The U.S. faces a dilemma: declare victory, or confront the gaps exposed by its own intelligence.
- Gaza is still a humanitarian disaster waiting to explode.
- And guess what? No one’s sitting at the negotiating table. There’s no real peace process—just a long, tense stare-down.
🧭 TL;DR
- Iran and Israel agreed to a ceasefire. It’s quiet—not peaceful.
- Trump and Netanyahu claim a win, but intelligence reports suggest Iran’s nuclear program could recover in months.
- Iran is clamping down at home, hard.
- Gaza is still being bombed. Civilians are desperate.
- Regional powers and global institutions are skeptical—and worried.
- There’s no clear plan forward, just shaky diplomacy and growing fear.
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