Why the Israel-Iran ceasefire puzzles experts

The recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, has left many experts scratching their heads. Sahar Razavi, Director of the Iranian and Middle Eastern Studies Center at California State University, Sacramento, shared her thoughts on Bloomberg. She believes the truce is shaky because neither side sees clear benefits in stopping the fight.

Razavi explained that ceasefires need both sides to gain something, like a boost to their image at home or abroad. Right now, she says, those benefits are missing. Israel claims it has met its goals, such as weakening Iran’s military strength, with U.S. support. Meanwhile, Iran’s forces are worn out, and its allies are struggling. This could be a chance for peace talks, but Razavi doubts it will happen soon.

The 12-day conflict saw heavy missile strikes, with Israel targeting Iran’s nuclear sites and Iran hitting back at Israeli cities. The ceasefire came after intense fighting, but its terms are unclear, confusing. Razavi stressed that for the truce to last, both countries need strong reasons to keep the peace, which she doesn’t see yet. While markets reacted positively, with oil prices dropping, the future of this deal remains uncertain.