Iran, Israel Honor Fragile Ceasefire for Third Consecutive Day

Tensions remain high despite calm on Thursday (June 26, 2025), as Israel and Iran continued to observe the fragile ceasefire brokered earlier this week. France confirmed it had intercepted drones targeting Israeli territory just before the truce officially took effect, though both sides have largely held fire since.

Trump Claims Victory, Rejects Talks with Iran

At the NATO summit, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that he had no intention of reopening negotiations with Iran. “We’ve taken care of their nuclear capabilities,” Trump said, referring to the recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Despite reports suggesting that both U.S. and Iranian envoys could meet next week, Trump emphasized he was “not particularly interested” in dialogue, asserting instead that military pressure had yielded the desired result.

Pentagon Under Scrutiny Over Damage Assessment

A classified Pentagon report, leaked to the media, has cast doubts on the extent of destruction caused by the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. While Trump has publicly claimed that Iran's nuclear program has been dismantled, the report allegedly states that critical infrastructure remains intact and that Iran could resume enrichment within weeks.

This contradiction has fueled public debate, prompting U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to announce a press conference later today to address concerns and provide clarity on the strategic impact of the U.S. military operations.

Editorial Voices Warn Against ‘Nuclear Brinkmanship’

In an editorial titled “Nuclear spectre,” The Hindu cautioned against the rising risk of nuclear brinkmanship. The piece stressed that the recent escalation between Israel and Iran, coupled with U.S. military involvement, could lead to a new era of high-stakes nuclear threats.

The editorial urged all parties to step back and engage in diplomatic de-escalation, emphasizing the need for multilateral efforts to prevent future flashpoints in the Middle East.

Global Reactions and Regional Implications

Countries across Europe, including Germany and the UK, have welcomed the ceasefire but expressed concerns over potential violations, especially in light of France’s drone interception.

Regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Turkey have remained cautious, issuing neutral statements urging “both sides to act with restraint.” Meanwhile, Russia and China have criticized the U.S. strikes as “unilateral provocations” and are reportedly pushing for emergency discussions at the United Nations.

What Lies Ahead?

As the third day of ceasefire draws to a close, attention turns to:

• The press conference by U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, where key revelations about the Iranian strike aftermath may emerge.

• Potential secret back-channel meetings between Iran and U.S. officials, despite Trump's public denial.

• Monitoring by international nuclear watchdogs to verify Iran’s nuclear activity status post-strike.

For now, the region watches anxiously, hoping that diplomacy can hold back another wave of military escalation.

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