Israel’s war with Iran is over
But its impact is uncertain
ACEASEFIRE agreement rarely surprises the countries that are supposed to cease firing. But that is what happened in the middle of the night on June 23rd, the 12th day of a war between Israel and Iran. Donald Trump announced the end of the war on social media (where else?), saying that the combatants had begged him to make peace. His announcement seemed to catch both Israel and Iran off-guard; they took hours to confirm the news.
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This article appeared in the Briefing section of the print edition under the headline “Settling dust, swirling questions”
From the June 28th 2025 edition
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The obscure Senate functionary whose word is law
Elizabeth MacDonough does more to shape legislation than most congressmen
The big beautiful bill reveals the hollowness of Trumponomics
Republicans mark America’s birthday with a profligate but insubstantial law
The war in Ukraine shows the West can re-arm without re-industrialising
Industrial capacity in peacetime is no longer necessary for success during war
How much did America’s bombs damage Iran’s nuclear programme?
Assessments vary wildly and it is impossible to know for sure
Israel’s blitz on Iran is fraught with uncertainty
Much hinges on the stubborn supreme leader and America’s mercurial president
Israel’s race to kill Iran’s nuclear dream
If it fails the regime could make a frantic dash for a bomb