WASHINGTON D.C. / BEIRUT — A fragile two-week ceasefire has taken effect between the United States and Iran following the 38-day military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury.
While President Donald Trump and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have declared a "total and complete victory," Tehran has simultaneously branded the truce a "great victory" for Iranian resistance, claiming Washington was forced to halt its "criminal war."
The diplomatic breakthrough, mediated by Pakistan, is already facing severe strain. Hours after the pause began, Israel launched its "biggest coordinated strikes" in Lebanon, killing dozens and wounding hundreds in central Beirut and the Bekaa Valley, insisting the Iran truce does not extend to its war against Hezbollah.
The Pentagon: "Iran Begged for Mercy"
In a bombastic Pentagon briefing, Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine updated the world on the results of over 13,000 U.S. strikes.
The "Mercy" Doctrine: Hegseth asserted that Iran accepted the ceasefire under "overwhelming pressure" and suggested that if Tehran had refused, the next targets would have been the nation’s entire power and energy infrastructure.
Tactical Success: Gen. Caine confirmed the U.S. has decimated Iran’s air defense and naval capabilities, claiming the U.S. now "owns their skies."
He emphasized that the ceasefire is merely a "pause" and troops remain "locked and loaded" to resume combat if violated.
Tehran’s Counter-Claim: "Resistance Prevailed"
Contradicting the U.S. narrative, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council issued a statement celebrating a "historic and crushing defeat" of the "enemy."
Battlefield Gains: Iranian state media claimed the ceasefire was achieved on Tehran's terms to "confirm battlefield achievements."
Hormuz Opening: Iran’s Foreign Minister announced that while the Strait of Hormuz will reopen for the two-week period, it will remain under "Iranian military management."
The 10-Point Plan and Nuclear "Dust"
President Trump revealed that a 10-point peace plan submitted by Iran served as a "workable basis" for the truce.
Regime Change Claims: In a bold social media post, Trump declared that Iran has undergone a "very productive Regime Change" and stated the U.S. would work with Tehran to "dig up and remove" deeply buried nuclear "dust" created by B-2 bomber strikes.
Sanctions for Support: Trump warned that any country caught supplying weapons to Iran during the ceasefire would face an immediate 50% tariff on all goods sold to the U.S.
The Reporter24 Special: Status at a Glance
| Key Metric | Status | Notes |
| Operation Epic Fury | Ceasefire | US claims victory; Iran claims "crushing defeat" for US. |
| Nuclear Material | Under Watch | Trump vows to remove material via "Space Force" surveillance. |
| Strait of Hormuz | Reopening | Open for 2 weeks; Iran demands management & transit fees. |
| Lebanon Offensive | Escalating | 100+ Hezbollah sites hit in 10 minutes; Israel ignores the truce. |
Analysis: A Disconnected Peace
The primary concern for global stability is the "separation of arenas." While Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the deal covered "everywhere, including Lebanon,"
Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu has explicitly rejected this, creating a dangerous disconnect.
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