Fragile Peace Between Israel and Iran Holds Many Unanswered Questions

One Week After U.S. Strikes, Fragile Israel-Iran Peace Holds But Many Questions Remain.

A week has passed since the U.S. dropped massive 30,000-pound bombs on key Iranian nuclear sites, leading to a fragile peace between Israel and Iran. While open conflict has paused for now, many important details about the future remain unclear.

President Donald Trump called the strikes a total “obliteration” of Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. However, U.S. intelligence reports say the damage was serious but not complete.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said the sites were significantly damaged but some parts still stand. Without Iran allowing inspectors inside, it is impossible to know exactly how much the program has been set back.

Trump briefly suggested the U.S. might ease sanctions if Iran stopped its nuclear activities and became a “great trading nation.” But Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rejected this idea, saying Iran had delivered a “slap to America’s face.” In response, Trump paused talks about lifting sanctions.

The U.S. and Iran have had some early talks about restarting negotiations, but Iran says no official deal is in place. The two sides remain far apart, especially because Trump demands that Iran stop all uranium enrichment, a demand Iran is unlikely to accept anytime soon.

Despite questions about his health, Khamenei remains Iran’s supreme leader, controlling its military and government. His leadership shapes Iran’s policies and response to the strikes.

Iran’s missile attacks after the U.S. strikes were seen as mostly symbolic and were easily defended against. However, Iran’s cyberattacks remain a serious concern. The U.S. recently warned of increased Iranian cyber threats targeting banks, defense companies, and energy systems.

Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu there would be no more U.S. strikes, but Netanyahu warned Israel will act again if Iran tries to restart its nuclear program.

Khamenei says the U.S. strikes caused little real damage, while Trump believes Iran is not focused on nuclear enrichment at the moment. Still, without proper inspections, the truth remains unclear.

Trump has promised to end the long Gaza conflict but has yet to deliver. Still, he has been pressing Netanyahu and other leaders to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal. Last week, Trump expressed hope that a ceasefire could happen “within the next week.”

While the peace holds for now, many questions remain about its durability and the future of the region. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this fragile calm can last.