OTTAWA – A two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran was announced Wednesday evening, according to a CBC News broadcast. The agreement, facilitated by Pakistani intermediaries, comes after threats from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

Fragile Agreement, Iranian Gains

Despite the ceasefire, reports indicate continued missile exchanges between Iran and Israel. Political analyst Janice Stein, speaking on CBC News, described the ceasefire as “very fragile,” noting a “zero trust” dynamic between the U.S. and Iran. Stein asserted that Iran has effectively gained control of the Strait of Hormuz, a significant strategic defeat for the United States, which previously defended freedom of navigation in the area.

According to Stein, Iran’s foreign minister stated that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will require coordination with Iranian armed forces, effectively confirming Iranian control. She highlighted several major sticking points in potential negotiations, including the presence of U.S. bases in the Middle East, reparations for the conflict, and Iran’s right to uranium enrichment.

Ceasefire's Uncertain Future

Stein cautioned that the ceasefire’s success is uncertain, emphasizing that communication with Iranian military command is decentralized due to recent strikes. She suggested that if conflict continues beyond the next 24 hours, the situation would be “much more worrying.”

While acknowledging the relief offered by the ceasefire, Stein emphasized that a lasting peace is unlikely, characterizing the current situation as “cold hostility.” She noted that Iran now controls 20% of the world’s oil and LNG supply, giving it significant leverage. The analyst also expressed concern about the difficulty for President Trump to walk away from the situation without conceding Iran’s gains.