The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran remained the dominant story in global affairs on Tuesday, with both sides publicly claiming the strategic advantage — a dynamic that experts warn could doom negotiations before they even restart.
According to The New York Times, Iranian leadership views President Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire as a sign of weakness — a blink. An Iran expert quoted by the paper noted that “the major impediment to negotiations restarting was the same as it was before talks — both countries see themselves as having the advantage.” Norway’s Dagbladet reported that Trump has given Iran’s competing power factions just days to present a counter-proposal, threatening to end the ceasefire altogether if none materializes. The situation was described as “extremely frustrating” by those close to the talks.
Meanwhile, the economic toll of the broader conflict is becoming impossible to ignore. Der Spiegel reported that the Arab League has formally demanded war reparations from Tehran for damages inflicted on Gulf states during the Iran conflict — a move that adds a significant financial dimension to any future peace deal.
The maritime dimension of the crisis also flared. Greek media outlet Ta Nea reported that Greece’s Ministry of Shipping denied Iranian claims that the Revolutionary Guards had seized the Greek-interest vessel Epaminondas in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state-affiliated media had reported attacks on three ships in the strategic waterway, raising fresh alarms about navigation safety in one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.
European Council President António Costa, speaking to Ta Nea ahead of the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece, confirmed that multiple EU member states are prepared to join a Franco-British “coalition of the willing” to ensure free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Costa rejected the notion that the EU is sidelined in Iran negotiations, insisting that “protecting the interests of member states” remains the bloc’s top priority.
