US-Iran Strikes: A Ceasefire That Lasted Only Three Weeks
Just a few days ago, we were all relieved. Pakistan’s mediation had successfully brokered a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was signed on June 17, and there was genuine hope that the Middle East might finally see some stability.
Then came July 7.
On that night, the US launched airstrikes on Iran. Eighty targets were hit — naval vessels, missile systems, drone bases. The reason? Iran had attacked three commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The next night, another 90 targets were struck.
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Iran retaliated immediately. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted American military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. Air raid sirens blared across Manama and Kuwait City. Fourteen Iranians were killed, seventy-eight wounded.
And just like that, the ceasefire collapsed.
President Trump declared that the ceasefire was effectively over. Iran’s negotiator warned that if strikes continued, Tehran would close the Strait of Hormuz — a move that would send global oil prices skyrocketing.
This entire situation reminds me of 2024 when conflict in the region had global repercussions. Are we heading down that same path? Pakistan’s role as a mediator is now more critical than ever. Islamabad must step up its diplomatic efforts to bring both sides back to the negotiating table before this escalates into a full-scale war.
I’ve written a detailed analysis of this conflict and Pakistan’s role on my blog. You can read it here.
