The key factors that led to the ceasefire, including what some are not telling you:
- The hardline faction of the regime accused the foreign minister and other officials of being traitors for calling for an end to the war.
- Iran’s president accused the Revolutionary Guard of sabotaging the chances of a ceasefire.
- The elimination of Majid Khademi, head of intelligence for the Revolutionary Guard, was confirmed. This brought the total to 250 regime officials and leaders eliminated, in addition to the disappearance without any news of the “new” Supreme Leader—who may be ill or dead.
- Iran’s nuclear infrastructure has been largely demolished, and its military and naval capabilities have been mostly destroyed.
- The United States was able to insert dozens of aircraft into #Iran and establish a temporary base to rescue a pilot. The operation involved nearly 100 special forces members plus several dozen fighter jets and helicopters. The operation was clear evidence of the regime’s military weakness.
- President Trump issued an aggressive ultimatum with the aim of forcing a ceasefire and exposing the factions within the regime that no longer hold real power.
In his Truth Social post, Trump speaks of a “wonderful” regime change:
“However, now that we have complete and total regime change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds will prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen. WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the world.”
- A source from the Iranian regime claimed on state TV that they had broken off all talks with the US. Obviously, this was false.
- Trump announces a conditional ceasefire, and the Iranian regime accepts.
Trump states that he “surpassed” all military objectives; he is opening a ceasefire.
He does not say he accepts Iran’s ten points at face value. He explicitly says they are “a workable basis for negotiation” and are subject to the full and free reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
“We received a 10-point proposal from Iran and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. Almost all of the various points of past contention have already been agreed between the United States and Iran (referring to the new regime), but a two-week period will allow the agreement to be finalized and consummated.”
No. Iran is not charging fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, nor, of course, in yuan.
Trump declared that the free flow through the Strait must be part of any peace deal with Iran.
The United Arab Emirates stated that this waterway “cannot be held hostage by any country” and that free navigation must be part of any resolution to the conflict.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry pointed out that all countries in the region have the right to use the Strait freely.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) clearly states that countries bordering straits cannot demand payment simply for allowing passage through them.
No, the United States is not accepting Iran’s nuclear program remaining intact. In fact, it has demolished Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
. Natanz, the main uranium enrichment plant with underground facilities, is 95% destroyed.
. Fordow (the underground enrichment plant) was demolished using bunker-buster bombs.
. Isfahan: Destroyed.
. Arak (heavy water complex): severely damaged.
. Ardakan (uranium concentrate production plant): completely bombed.
. Bushehr (Iran’s only operating nuclear power plant): bombed four times.
President Trump posted on Truth Social that there will be no uranium enrichment and the new regime will cooperate in digging up the nuclear powder.
And, of course, two weeks of continued military pressure and negotiations.