The newly announced ceasefire between Israel and Iran has stunned observers, carving out a rare opportunity to shift decades of hostilities into talks on lasting peace.
"The ceasefire is now in effect. Please do not violate!" announced U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform, underscoring the U.S.-brokered nature of the truce that both sides have agreed to abide by.
Cui Shoujun, a professor at the School of International Relations at Renmin University of China, told CGTN that this window could be pivotal. "If both sides can seize this moment to resume and deepen dialogue—particularly on nuclear and regional security issues—with the support and oversight of the international community, there is a genuine possibility of reaching a long-term peace agreement," he said.
According to reports from Iran's Press TV and statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the ceasefire followed waves of Iranian missile strikes on Israel, which the Israeli military worked to intercept. Israeli leaders say key military objectives have been met, paving the way for diplomacy.
While challenges remain, including mistrust and strategic rivalries, experts see this pause in hostilities as a critical step. By leveraging multilateral support and transparent negotiations, stakeholders hope to transform this brief lull into durable stability for the region.
Reference(s):
Expert: Ceasefire a rare chance for Israel-Iran ties, with challenges
cgtn.com
