After 12 volatile days that pushed the world to the brink of a wider war, a ceasefire between Israel and Iran brokered under dramatic circumstances has brought temporary calm to the Middle East. What began as a bilateral conflict escalated into a three-way showdown once the United States joined in with Operation Midnight Hammer, a surprise airstrike campaign that targeted Iran's nuclear facilities.

While the missiles have stopped flying for now all three nations involved are proclaiming victory. Each has tailored a narrative for its domestic audience, seizing symbolic wins from a dangerous geopolitical confrontation that nearly spiraled out of control.

Despite initially advocating diplomacy, the Trump administration flipped the script with a swift and forceful intervention. American B-2 bombers struck three nuclear facilities deep inside Iran, following President Trump's warning that Tehran was the "bully of the Middle East." The official claim: Iran’s nuclear capabilities were “completely obliterated.”

However, Washington made it clear it didn’t want a prolonged war. Strategically, Trump allowed Iran an “exit ramp” after its retaliatory strike on the Al Udeid US Air Base in Qatar. Notably, Iran had issued a warning ahead of the attack, allowing the U.S. to evacuate-resulting in no American casualties.

Trump then pivoted to peacemaker, praising Iran for the warning and announcing the ceasefire with a message that sought both strength and restraint: “NO Americans were harmed...they’ve gotten it all out of their ‘system’.”

What the U.S. gained:

• Asserted military superiority

• Suffered zero personnel loss

• Credited for brokering peace

• Gave Trump domestic bragging rights without entanglement in another “forever war”

Israel: Tactical Dominance & Strategic Leverage

Israel, which initiated the first wave of strikes, used the conflict to showcase its military precision and intelligence prowess. It successfully neutralized key Iranian figures, including Brigadier Generals Ali Shadmani, Mohammad Kazemi, and Hassan Mohaqe, and inflicted heavy damage on Iran’s air defense infrastructure.

Perhaps Israel’s biggest strategic win came when it managed to draw the U.S. into the conflict. Though initially reluctant, Washington's eventual involvement legitimized Israel's campaign and strengthened its global positioning.

This unity between Tel Aviv and Washington not only amplified the military pressure on Iran but also provided Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a political win ahead of national elections.

What Israel gained:

• Demonstrated air and intelligence superiority

• Took out high-ranking IRGC commanders

• Brought the U.S. firmly into its corner

• Reinforced Netanyahu’s domestic and international standing

Also Read | Iran Missile Attacks Kill Four in Israel as Trump Declares Ceasefire

Iran: Face-Saving Retaliation & Propaganda Victory

Caught between destruction and dignity, Iran played a delicate game. After the devastating U.S. strikes, it retaliated with a calibrated attack on Al Udeid Air Base a symbolic yet controlled move. The advanced warning to the U.S. and Qatar was a clever tactic: it showed resolve without triggering American deaths or inviting further escalation.

In the final hours before the ceasefire, Iran continued firing missiles at Israeli targets, portraying itself as unwavering in its resistance. Internally, Tehran has painted the outcome as a triumph of endurance and sovereignty “standing up to the world’s most powerful nation.”

What Iran gained:

• Avoided total war while still retaliating

• Kept domestic morale intact

• Maintained alliances (e.g., Qatar)

• Used controlled escalation as leverage for diplomacy

Peace... For Now. But Clouds Remain

While the ceasefire has been welcomed worldwide, this is a fragile peace. Iran disputes claims that its nuclear facilities were "obliterated," and Western intelligence remains unsure about the status of its uranium stockpile.

Experts warn that Tehran may now double down on its nuclear ambitions, while geopolitical fault lines remain wide open. Whether this truce leads to sustained diplomacy or merely a lull before the next storm remains to be seen.

Bottom Line: All Claimed Victory, None Emerged Unscathed

This short but intense conflict was as much a battle of missiles as a war of narratives. The U.S., Israel, and Iran each walked away with just enough to claim victory military gains, strategic leverage, or propaganda wins. But beneath the bravado lies a tense reality: a region on edge, and a world still watching.