Camilla Jessen
Following a fragile US-brokered ceasefire, both Israel and Iran have declared victory in their most direct clash to date.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proclaimed a “historic victory” over Iran on Tuesday night, just hours after a ceasefire between the two longtime rivals came into effect.
The truce, brokered by former US President Donald Trump, follows nearly two weeks of intense strikes between the two nations, including American bombing of Iranian nuclear sites.
“We destroyed Iran’s nuclear project,” Netanyahu said in a national address, as cited by Digi24. “And if anyone in Iran tries to rebuild it, we will act with the same determination, with the same intensity.”
He vowed that “Iran will never have nuclear weapons.”
The ceasefire brought an end—at least temporarily—to one of the most direct military confrontations between Israel and Iran in recent years. Israeli military leaders cautioned, however, that the conflict is far from over.
“A new chapter is opening,” said Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, noting that the military would now shift focus back to the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza.
Iran: “We Made Them Stop”
Just one day earlier, Iranian officials had also claimed victory.
President Massoud Pezeshkian announced what he described as “the end of the war imposed by Israel,” and said Iran would uphold the ceasefire so long as Israel did the same.
In a statement reported by Iranian media, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the country’s “warriors and wise leadership” had forced Israel to stop its offensive. The Council called it a “defeat for the Zionist enemy,” and emphasized that Iran remains on high alert.
“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran… will be ready to give a decisive and regrettable response to any act of aggression,” the statement said.
It described the last 12 days as a “bloody struggle” during which Iran answered “every aggression in a timely and proportionate manner.”
Trump’s Role in the Truce
Donald Trump, who is running for re-election, announced the ceasefire late Monday, claiming credit for halting further escalation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also praised Trump’s efforts during a meeting in The Hague, on the eve of a NATO summit.
Though the ceasefire appears to be holding, the political messaging from both sides makes clear that the conflict remains unresolved—and that both Israel and Iran are determined to portray themselves as the victors.
Nuclear Fears Still at Center
The confrontation was sparked by Israeli airstrikes on June 13 targeting Iranian facilities. Israel has long accused Tehran of secretly pursuing nuclear weapons, while Iran insists its program is peaceful and meant only for civilian energy.
The United States joined Israel in bombing key nuclear sites in Iran on June 16.
Despite the damage, Iran said it retains the right to pursue nuclear energy and signaled willingness to restart talks with Washington.
