EDMONTON – A temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran, announced around 6:30 PM Eastern Time, is being described as “very fragile” by Janice Stein, a political analyst interviewed on CBC News Wednesday evening. The ceasefire, brokered through Pakistani intermediaries, comes approximately 90 minutes before a deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the broadcast, despite the ceasefire announcement, Iran continued to launch missiles at Israel, with Israel responding in kind. Stein stated there is “zero trust” between the two nations.

Stein characterized the situation as a “huge strategic defeat” for the United States, asserting that Iran is now “functionally in control” of the Strait of Hormuz. Prior to recent events, the U.S. was a primary defender of freedom of navigation in the international waters of the Strait. She noted there is no clear plan to dislodge Iran without significant escalation.

While the ceasefire may be less detrimental to Israel, Stein indicated that none of Israel’s objectives have been achieved, including agreements regarding enriched uranium, missile production, or support for Iran’s proxies. She suggested Iran is emerging from the conflict “with the wind at its back,” with its foreign minister stating safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will require coordination with Iranian armed forces.

Stein highlighted several sticking points in potential negotiations, including the U.S. military presence in the Middle East, potential reparations from the war, and Iran’s insistence on its right to uranium enrichment. She cautioned that the two-week ceasefire may simply be a means to “buy everybody time to step back from the edge of the cliff.”

CBC News also reported on a separate matter: a Cree nation in Alberta is seeking an injunction to halt a petition for a separation referendum, arguing it violates their treaty rights. This case is currently before the Edmonton courthouse.