Iran Observes Fragile Ceasefire After US-Israeli Military Onslaught

Iran is observing a fragile ceasefire following weeks of joint military airstrikes by the United States and Israel. The onslaught targeted civilian infrastructure, leaving schools, hospitals, and residential buildings in Tehran and other cities heavily damaged. The Iranian government previously intensified domestic repression with a deadly crackdown on protesters in January and maintained an internet blackout for over 45 days, which disrupted banking and devastated the digital economy.

Donald Trump has alternated between extreme rhetoric and diplomatic optimism, previously threatening to "destroy Iranian civilisation" while later stating his belief that a peace deal would be reached soon. Despite the initial goals of the U.S. and Israel to topple the ruling clerics, the theocratic regime remains entrenched. Security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij militia, continue to maintain armed checkpoints in Tehran, with reports of children as young as 11 being deployed.

While shops and government offices have reopened and the Strait of Hormuz remains open, the country faces severe inflation and economic instability. Residents express deep apprehension that the Iranian government will increase domestic repression once external military pressure from Washington subsides.