In today’s world, peace is often announced on social media. On Donald Trump’s Truth Social platform, it manifested in two parts.
The first part declared: “CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT’S TIME FOR PEACE.”
While not as monumental as the Magna Carta, this statement represented a modern peace treaty – a U.S. president informing the public that there would be no retaliation against Iran’s missile attack.
To a world anxiously awaiting U.S. military action in Iran, this news provided relaxation. The president could also feel justified, having savored a moment of strategic triumph.
Trump has adjusted the Iranian political and military landscape to serve U.S. interests, without any loss of American life.
He has portrayed U.S. involvement in Iran as a means to avert a “forever” foreign war, not to incite one, and he now stands vindicated, defying predictions that he would be drawn into conflict.
Read the latest updates here: Iranian missiles strike Israel; three killed
Footage appeared to show a residential building in southern Israel that was extensively damaged. Pic: AP
The second peace announcement appeared on Truth Social a couple of hours after the initial non-retaliation announcement.
“Ceasefire” was posted by Trump: “CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE!” – touting a “complete and total” ceasefire agreed between Israel and Iran.
A remarkable day for the self-proclaimed “peacemaker-in-chief” in problem-solving – and possibly in leaving problems unsolved. Only time will tell.
As deadlines neared, there did not seem to be a full commitment from either Israel or Iran to Trump’s scenario, and more missiles were fired overnight.
Daytime will reveal how robust the ceasefire is, given that both sides view each other as threatening their very existence.
