Axios: Ceasefire confusion reigns

Ceasefire confusion reigns
 
Iranians celebrate in Tehran early today after the ceasefire announcement. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

The U.S., Israel and Iran agree that a ceasefire is in effect — but they’re contradicting each other and themselves on what’s been agreed on and what happens next, Axios’ Barak Ravid writes.

Those differences will have to be reconciled in negotiations, starting Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan.

One thing everyone agrees on: There’s no guarantee the war is over. 

President Trump’s key condition for a ceasefire was reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

But it’s unclear how open it actually is. Iran halted ships there today after fresh Israeli attacks against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, per Iranian state media.

Iran and the Pakistani mediators say the ceasefire applies to Lebanon. The U.S. and Israel disagree. (Go deeper.) Attacks also took place during the ceasefire’s first 12 hours against oil facilities in Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait.

Pakistan’s prime minister warned such actions “undermine the spirit of the peace process.”Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth takes questions at the Pentagon today. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images 

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a press conference today that Iran’s attacks continued because of Iranian communications issues.

Hegseth said: “It takes time for a ceasefire to take hold. We think it will.”

Both sides say they can quickly resume fighting:

Hegseth said today: “We will be hanging around to make sure Iran complies. … We are prepared to restart in a moment’s notice.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement: “We are with our hand on the trigger, ready to respond to any attack with more force.” 

Attention now shifts to Saturday’s negotiations, with Vice President JD Vance leading the U.S. team.

The sides are far apart on several core issues, including money to rebuild Iranian buildings and infrastructure, the fate of Iran’s nuclear program, and ending the war between Israel and Hezbollah.Go deeper.
    
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About michelleclarke2015

Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
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