International Desk : Voice of Calcutta

Amid the continuing tensions in West Asia, new diplomatic developments have emerged as Iran has indicated a willingness to consider a ceasefire after nearly two weeks of conflict. However, Tehran has made it clear that any halt to hostilities would depend on three specific conditions being accepted by the United States and Israel. So far, neither Washington nor Tel Aviv has officially responded to those demands.

On Wednesday night, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly outlined the three conditions for a possible ceasefire. According to Iranian officials, the conditions are firm and must be addressed before any agreement to stop military operations can be reached.

The announcement comes at a time when military operations by Israel and the United States inside Iran are reportedly nearing their final phase. Soon after the developments became public, global markets reacted quickly. International crude oil prices dropped sharply, while major stock markets recorded a sudden rise, reflecting expectations that the conflict could soon wind down.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that the war is already close to its conclusion. In a phone interview with CBS News, Trump said he believes the conflict has effectively been decided.

“I think the war is essentially over,” he said, adding that Iran’s military capabilities have been severely damaged. According to him, Iran no longer has a functional navy, its communication networks have been disrupted, and its air force is no longer operational in any meaningful way.

Trump also noted that at the beginning of the conflict he expected the fighting to last between four and five weeks. However, he claimed that U.S. forces have advanced much faster than anticipated. Speaking later at a press conference in Florida, he reiterated that the war could end very soon but warned that if hostilities resume, the United States would respond with even stronger military action.

Tehran, however, has strongly rejected the American president’s assessment. Iran’s powerful military force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), responded sharply to Trump’s remarks.

A spokesperson for the IRGC dismissed the comments as “meaningless” and insisted that it is Iran—not the United States—that will determine when the war ends. Iranian state media reported that the spokesperson also issued a stern warning to Washington and Tel Aviv.

According to the statement, if the United States and Israel continue their attacks, Iran could take drastic steps affecting global energy supply. The spokesperson warned that not “a single liter of oil” would be allowed to pass through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz.

The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most important routes for oil transportation, and any disruption there could have a major impact on global energy markets. Iran’s message was clear: regional security must apply to everyone, or it will apply to no one.

Even though the conflict has now entered its second week, there are still no clear signs that tensions are fully easing. With Iran presenting strict ceasefire conditions and the United States projecting confidence about the military outcome, the next phase will likely depend on diplomatic negotiations.

For now, the world is closely watching whether Washington and Tel Aviv will respond to Tehran’s demands—and whether those conditions could open the door to a real ceasefire or lead to further escalation in the region.

International Desk : Voice of Calcutta