Trump declares “forever” peace after bombing Iran — but at what cost?

DDM News

In the aftermath of a high-stakes confrontation between the United States and Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump has declared a major foreign policy triumph, positioning himself as the architect of a lasting peace in the Middle East.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Trump’s proclamation followed Iran’s limited missile response to U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities.

The response was interpreted by Trump as an indication that Tehran is ready to deescalate. Posting triumphantly on Truth Social, Trump declared, “CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT’S TIME FOR PEACE!”

This declaration came just 48 hours after U.S. stealth bombers carried out precision strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.

Trump subsequently announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, expected to take effect on Tuesday.

However, both countries exchanged fresh attacks just hours before the truce, highlighting the fragility of such agreements in the volatile region.

In an interview with NBC News, Trump stated, “I think the ceasefire is unlimited.

“It’s going to go forever,” asserting that hostilities between Israel and Iran are permanently over.

Such claims are bold, especially in a region known for shattering political dreams and enduring cycles of violence.

Trump further claimed that the United States had successfully obliterated Iran’s nuclear capabilities, removing a longstanding threat to Israeli security.

However, questions remain about the fate of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile, which could be quickly weaponized, raising concerns that the conflict may merely be entering a new phase.

A swift end to this conflict could become a defining moment of Trump’s legacy, providing him with a significant foreign policy success after mixed results elsewhere, such as the stalled efforts in Ukraine.

If Trump indeed helps stabilize the region, it could reshape his global image from chaos agent to peacemaker.

However, major uncertainties remain. Critics question whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will commit to halting attacks on Iran.

There are also growing calls for Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians continue to suffer amid ongoing military operations.

Inside Iran, the impact of the Israeli and U.S. military campaigns may destabilize the ruling clerical regime, potentially opening the door for political reform long desired by many Iranian citizens.

Trump’s foreign policy gamble appears to be paying off, at least in the short term.

Despite initial misgivings about Israel’s decision to launch strikes on Iran, Trump managed to steer the situation to the U.S.’s advantage, dealing a serious blow to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure at little apparent cost.

Though some may view his success as a stroke of luck, Trump demonstrated a level of decisiveness and strategic planning rarely attributed to him.

He oversaw a daring operation involving B-2 stealth bombers flying from Missouri to strike hardened Iranian facilities with bunker-busting bombs.

Within the Republican Party, Trump may gain renewed support, especially from his “America First” base, some of whom had criticized his perceived deviation from his promise to avoid new wars.

This crisis has also shed light on Trump’s evolving leadership style and the inner workings of his administration.

According to CNN, a trusted core of advisors has emerged around Trump, including Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and special envoy Steve Witkoff.

The roles of other figures, like Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, appear less stable.

Despite the triumphalism, Trump bypassed traditional protocols by failing to inform Congress in advance of the military strikes and excluding leading Democrats from briefings.

He has yet to release the intelligence used to justify the operation, further deepening concerns about his disregard for constitutional oversight.

Trump also alienated U.S. allies by mocking their diplomatic efforts.

This episode underscores a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy under Trump, as Washington increasingly pursues its interests unilaterally, often at the expense of international consensus.

He has begun referring to the operation as the “12-Day War,” and is actively shaping the narrative to highlight his version of events.

His claim that the Iranian nuclear threat has been eliminated is seen by some experts as premature and potentially misleading.

The extent of damage to Iran’s nuclear program remains uncertain. Although facilities at Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow were heavily targeted, the International Atomic Energy Agency reports that 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% was likely moved to an undisclosed location.

Trump hopes that Iran, now weakened, will return to negotiations on a new nuclear agreement to replace the Obama-era deal he scrapped.

Yet, Iranian military officials might interpret the attacks as justification to accelerate efforts to acquire a nuclear deterrent.

Experts like Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Control Association warn that Trump’s actions may ultimately push Iran closer to weaponization. Nonproliferation specialist Joseph Cirincione told CNN that Iran retains the knowledge and resources to produce multiple bombs within weeks, despite the strikes.

If Iran is indeed racing to develop a nuclear weapon before another attack, Trump’s celebratory rhetoric could backfire, transforming a perceived victory into a wider global crisis.

Iran’s weakened response to the U.S. and Israel also revealed vulnerabilities in its defense capabilities. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ network of regional allies, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, has been severely diminished after two years of Israeli military operations.

Israel has emerged as a dominant regional force, while Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and Qatar have gained influence.

Internally, Iran faces an uncertain political future as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei approaches the end of his rule.

The possibility of internal unrest looms, though Iran is more likely to respond with increased repression rather than democratic reforms.

Meanwhile, Israel’s political scene remains unstable, with Netanyahu facing accusations that his aggressive stance on Iran is a diversion from his personal legal troubles and failure to prevent the October 7, 2023, attacks.

Still, Netanyahu may benefit politically if the ceasefire holds, allowing him to claim credit for neutralizing Iran’s nuclear threat. His long alliance with Trump may also shape future diplomacy, especially if Trump leverages Israel’s indebtedness to push for peace in Gaza.

For now, the crisis appears to be winding down, but history suggests that Middle East peace is rarely permanent.

Trump’s current success could just as easily unravel, ushering in a new and more dangerous phase of conflict.

As always with Trump, the show continues, and the next act promises to be just as dramatic.

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