It started with a tweet from Donald Trump, the former U.S. President, fresh off another rally circuit, declared that he had successfully negotiated a “complete and total ceasefire” between Iran and Israel. He thanked “both great nations” and called it a “win for peace.”

The internet erupted. Headlines flew. Global markets momentarily breathed easier.

But there was one problem. Iran never agreed to it.

Just hours later, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the claim “a fabrication,” stating firmly: “There is no ceasefire until Israel ceases aggression.” Israeli officials? Silent. Missile sirens continued in Tel Aviv. Explosions were still heard near Tehran. So what exactly was this “peace” deal?

What Ceasefire? Who’s Keeping Count?

The supposed ceasefire came after two weeks of intense military exchanges, including:

  1. An Iranian missile hitting a hospital in Beersheba
  2. Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and drone facilities deep inside Iran
  3. U.S. airstrikes on Iranian military infrastructure
  4. Iran firing back at an American base in Qatar

Meanwhile, Tehran’s internet was nearly completely shut down. Civilians fled cities. And yet, amid all this, a ceasefire was announced by… one side?

Why Did Trump Jump In?

Trump’s sudden announcement was classic Trump: bold, unilateral, and media-savvy. While current U.S. President Joe Biden kept diplomatic channels discreet, Trump positioned himself as the lone peacemaker.

Analysts say his move had less to do with actual diplomacy and more with political timing. With the U.S. elections around the corner, a foreign policy “win” even if symbolic helps bolster his image on the world stage.

But in real terms, it’s unclear whether any formal ceasefire agreement exists. There’s no official document, no bilateral statements, and critically no pause in hostilities.

Is the Ceasefire Real? Or Just Political Theatre?

Here’s the reality: there’s no proof of a lasting truce. No formal documents. No de-escalation. Just a headline and conflicting narratives.

This ceasefire, if it exists, is a ceasefire in name only, a diplomatic fog where everyone’s declaring victory while the ground realities remain unchanged.

As geopolitical analyst Reza Mohammadi put it: “This is not a peace agreement. This is public relations.”

 

What Now?

The region remains tense. Missiles still fly. Talks in Geneva continue. Russia has offered to mediate. The UN is watching. And civilians on both sides remain caught in the crossfire.

Whether this moment turns into an actual turning point or fades into yet another chapter of unresolved hostility depends not on tweets or headlines, but on what happens next behind closed doors.

For now, the “ceasefire” exists only on paper—and not even officially so. The question now is: Will this conflict simmer under the surface or explode again when the world least expects it?