During the first week of April, President Donald Trump released a statement calling for a ceasefire in the war in Iran after six weeks of fighting, prompting a two week agreement. which Iran agreed to.
The conflict began on February 28, 2026, when the United States launched a coordinated attack with Israel on Iran. The strikes targeted military infrastructure, those who hold leadership positions, and, most significantly, nuclear facilities.
Trump had confirmed these attacks were in fact American, saying “the United States military began major combat operations in Iran [to] defend the American people.” This emphasizes his belief that Tehran can “never have a nuclear weapon.”
The numbers illustrate the intensity of the attacks carried out through the U.S. operation Epic Fury and Israel’s Roaring Lion. Carried out over a 40-day period, the U.S. enacted the strike on approximately 13,000 Iranian military targets. Similarly, Israel followed through with 10,000 strikes and 1,000 waves of attack, resulting in over 18,000 bombs being dropped.
Iran responded with attacks targeted primarily towards Israel, with some U.S. Middle Eastern outposts being affected as well. Although Iran launched a forceful initial barrage, with more than 100 missiles fired in the first three days of their attack, their ability to continue fighting significantly eroded as the war drove on.
On April 8, an agreement between the U.S. and Iran was reached to come to a ceasefire, the terms of which include the removal of U.S. sanctions and military elements as well as the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. However, the two parties disagree over the terms, as U.S. officials view their ten-point plan as more of a wishlist and Iran accuses the U.S. of not complying. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf states, “The deep historical distrust we hold toward the United States stems from its repeated violations of all forms of commitments, a pattern that has regrettably been repeated once again.” He cites three points that the U.S. has agreed to, but violated.
Prospects for a lasting resolution remain unclear, especially following the failure of negotiators in Pakistan to reach a consensus. The Trump Administration is currently threatening to blockade Iranian ports, a move that could constitute military action in violation of the earlier cease fire. As disagreements continue, the situation presents itself as a fragile pause rather than a comprehensive peace.