US President Donald Trump repeatedly claimed during the conflict that the Iran war was nearly over, with most objectives achieved. Yet he continued to threaten escalation, warning of dire consequences if Iran’s leadership failed to agree to a deal within deadlines he kept extending—even while declaring the Islamic state “all gone”.

His rhetoric, alternating between claims of victory and threats of escalation, appeared aimed at coercing Iran into submission. However, Iran, despite suffering heavy blows, refused to yield. Trump’s shifting stance suggested he was seeking a graceful exit through a credible pause in hostilities.

Ceasefire and competing narratives

The deadlock broke on day 39 of the war with a two-week ceasefire. However, the pause—linked to conditions around the Strait of Hormuz and follow-up talks in Islamabad beginning April 10—quickly became a battle of competing narratives.

Both sides claimed victory, though their assertions differed sharply. Trump........

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