Context: Trump had threatened to obliterate Iran’s bridges and power plants if the Strait of Hormuz stayed closed. Pakistan stepped in at the last minute, proposing a two-week pause. Iran put forward a 10-point plan that Trump called “workable,” and both sides agreed to meet in Islamabad on Friday to hash out the details. Iran’s framing this as a victory for survival, while Trump says he’s pulling back on threats for now.

Context: The plan appears to include concessions Washington had rejected before. Trump’s willingness to negotiate on it is a shift, suggesting he’s prioritizing the Hormuz reopening over maximalist demands. Talks begin Friday in Islamabad to work through the specifics.

Sources: France 24

Context: Netanyahu made clear the US-Iran truce doesn’t include Hezbollah. Israeli strikes pounded Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern Lebanon just hours after the ceasefire announcement. Lebanon’s health ministry reported dozens dead and hundreds injured. Israel says it’s targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah infrastructure.

Context: Several strikes were reported across Gulf countries just hours after the ceasefire announcement. It’s unclear if these were Iranian forces, proxy groups, or pre-planned attacks that couldn’t be called off in time. The attacks are testing the fragile truce before talks even begin on Friday.

Context: The assassination came as Iran was defying Trump’s threats to devastate civilian infrastructure. It’s one of the highest-ranking Iranian officials killed in the conflict so far, though specifics about where and how the strike happened haven’t been confirmed.

Sources: France 24

Context: The Strait handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil. Its closure during the war sent prices soaring and triggered fuel shortages globally. A Greek bulk carrier and a Liberian-flagged vessel appear to be the first ships through since the ceasefire was announced, though shipping companies are still waiting for full clarity before resuming normal operations.

Context: Iran executed a 23-year-old protester named Ali Fahim on Monday, the latest in a surge of politically charged hangings. Rights groups say the defendants faced torture, unfair trials, and no real legal counsel. The executions are happening as Iran keeps the internet shut down and accelerates killings amid the war.

Context: Iran mobilized people to physically shield power plants and bridges from potential US strikes as Trump’s deadline approached. Now that the ceasefire is in place, Iranian state media is portraying it as proof the regime survived. For Iran, survival is the bar for victory.

Context: Israel’s right wing expected something dramatic—regime collapse, total capitulation. The two-week truce falls way short. Netanyahu’s critics on the left are unhappy with him, and conservatives are now criticizing Trump for backing down. In a rare moment, Israel’s entire political spectrum is united in disappointment with the deal.

Context: Pakistan brokered the truce, talks are happening in Islamabad, and European countries are scrambling to figure out what this means for them. They’re dealing with the war’s ripple effects—energy prices, inflation, growth slowdowns—but have zero seat at the table for negotiations.

Sources: Euronews