Iranian official decries ‘fake news’ by Trump’s ceasefire announcement
President Donald Trump announced a temporary ceasefire, but there appears to be conflicting information from Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf from Iran. Regardless, a ceasefire would be largely beneficial to all parties involved in the conflict.
“I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, HAVE HAD VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST,” Trump wrote on social media.
“I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS,” the president added.
‘Fake news’ card used on Trump
It goes without saying that if Trump’s words are true, then further escalation of the war in Iran could be prevented. If Washington proceeds to strike an Iranian power plant, Tehran could respond in kind. They threatened to target desalination plants that US-allied Middle Eastern countries rely on for survival. The civilian casualties among Iranians and other Middle Eastern countries can’t be overstated in the worst-case scenario.
However, Iranian Speaker Ghalibaf refuted Trump’s claim on X.
He wrote, “Iranian people demand complete and remorseful punishment of the aggressors. All Iranian officials stand firmly behind their supreme leader and people until this goal is achieved.”
Ghalibaf also added, “No negotiations have been held with the US, and fake news is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.”
It’s an ironic claim from Ghalibaf, given that Trump loves using the term ‘fake news’ to invalidate any claim that’s contrary to his own. But for once, it would benefit everyone if Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire were reliable.
Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir claims that Iran is denying negotiations because the Iranians “don’t trust the US anymore.” Either way, the best outcome in this scenario is that no side resorted to bombing civilian infrastructure. It doesn’t matter whether or not Trump was bluffing about bombing a crucial powerplant in Tehran. What matters is that it can be prevented and that cooler heads prevail.
If it is true that there is no ongoing ceasefire talk, Trump’s post may be an invitation to settle with Iran. Otherwise, it may just be another narrative spun by the administration to continue the war.
Joe Kent weighs in
Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent shared his thoughts regarding Trump’s ceasefire with Iran. He thinks that for the ceasefire to be effective, “restraining the Israelis” is key.
If the United States fails to restrain their ally, escalation is bound to happen.
Kent posted online, “POTUS publicly announces deescalation, Israel takes major strikes to destroy the negotiations & in turn weaken our ability to negotiate, the war accelerates.” This was in response not only to Trump’s ceasefire announcement. He quoted news of Israel’s attacks on Tehran’s infrastructures on March 23.
Global fuel supply chains have already been thoroughly disrupted. Americans back at home are feeling the cost of the war at the pump. Moreover, talks of deploying soldiers at Kharg Island gained backlash even from Trump’s GOP allies. Simply put, the cost is too steep—and Americans won’t just pay with the money in their pockets.
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