WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump is extending a ceasefire with Iran that was set to expire Wednesday — a reversal from his earlier promise not to drag out the truce.
However, the conflict appears far from over, with Iran showing escalatory behavior in the Strait of Hormuz Wednesday — even after recent threats from Trump, who said U.S. forces would target civilian and energy infrastructure if Iran does not seek a deal with the U.S.
The human cost of the conflict with Iran is front and center for Iranian-Americans and refugees with loved ones caught in the middle of war.
“Because of the shutdown of Internet and phone, I don’t have any news about them directly, but indirectly, I heard they are okay now,” said Ali Sadighi, a member of the Organization of Iranian-American Communities. “Before the war started, I think it’s about two months ago,” he said, when asked the last time he spoke directly with family in Iran.
Trump’s tough rhetoric on targeting infrastructure follows recent comments where he said “a whole civilization will die.” Although they’re just words, they carry a heavy emotional toll for many.
“Iranian government and American government — enough is enough. We are done. We really, we are, heart is broken,” said Tara Shafiee, an Iranian-American mother. “I have two young daughters, I don’t want to lose them. The Iranian people — they don’t want to lose their child. They are very brave. They just want freedom. That’s all they want.”
Despite an extension of a fragile ceasefire, diplomacy could be stalling. The U.S. is continuing a military blockade of Iranian ports — a move Iran calls an “act of war.”
Wednesday, Iran said it attacked three ships in the Strait of Hormuz — seizing two of them. The escalation comes after U.S. forces seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on Sunday. The ship was reportedly trying to evade the U.S. blockade.
Meanwhile, a second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran are on hold … after Iran failed to confirm whether they’d show up in Pakistan. But on Wednesday, Iran’s ambassador, met with Pakistani officials in Islamabad to discuss the Strait of Hormuz and possible paths to peace.
The uncertainty over what comes next is painful for those with personal ties and who are fighting Iran’s resistance and regime change.
“We all have high hopes, because Iranian people will overthrow this regime,” said one Iranian woman.
Despite the fear, that hope remains strong, as it has for decades.
“We have been resistant for 47 years. They have killed for 47 years, but they have not broken us. They haven’t broken our resistance, and our movement.”
