The 12-day war between Iran and Israel ended in a Trump-brokered ceasefire, and an uneasy truce is now in place. But who are the winners and losers in this unusual Middle Eastern conflict? In this war, Israel and Iran both went from escalation to a fragile ceasefire, and Donald Trump, Netanyahu, and the Iranian Supreme Leader have all made tall claims that the war ended on their terms. The truth is shrouded in the mists of war, and what exactly happened is still being debated and searched for. Was Iran able to save its nuclear programme? How much damage was done by the US bombardment? And will this ceasefire result in long-lasting peace in the Middle East?

After the US bombardment of Iran’s nuclear sites in Isfahan, Fordow, and Natanz, Donald Trump announced arrogantly to the world media that the Iranian nuclear programme had been “completely obliterated.” Iran vehemently denied such tall claims and, in return, launched a missile attack on the US air base Al Udeid in Qatar, sparking fears of igniting a broader war and bloodshed across the entire Middle East.

Surprisingly, within a few hours of the Iranian missile barrage, Donald Trump once again shocked the world by his sudden announcement: “It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a complete and total CEASEFIRE.” There was no denial or contradiction from the Iranian side, with a tacit silence showing approval of Trump’s announcement. Trump called it “the 12-Day War … that could have gone on for years and destroyed the Middle East.” Once again, Donald Trump trumpeted his claim of being a champion of peace, dousing the........

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