The remaining top political leaders of the Iranian regime are celebrating what they call a victory over the United States after they reached a two-week ceasefire agreement on April 7, 2026.
“America was forced to accept a ceasefire—a reality that reflects a clear strategic defeat,” wrote Ali Akbar Velayati, the former foreign minister whose last job was senior foreign policy advisor to the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The Islamic Republic’s Supreme National Security Council issued a statement immediately after the ceasefire was announced, saying, “The enemy, in its unjust, illegal, and criminal war against the Iranian nation, has suffered an undeniable, historic, and crushing defeat.”
Iranian officials showered praise over the legacy of [Supreme Leader Ali] Khamenei, saying that their “victory” is the result of his wisdom.
In their victory claims, Iranian officials showered praise over the legacy of Khamenei, saying that their “victory” is the result of his wisdom. Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref, whom many Western commentators label a “reformist,” announced, “What is seen today as Iran’s unshakable stability and triumphant authority is the product of the evolution of the Khamenei school of thought—a doctrine that has embedded the essence of power, beyond individuals, in the will of the nation and the divine structure of the system.”
In January 2026, the Iranian regime killed around 30,000 civilians during two days of nationwide protests, in defense of the Khamenei school of thought. Just days ago, thousands of Iraqi Shi’ite gunmen reportedly entered Iran to be available in case fresh protests break out.
Officials in Tehran even claimed that the United States has accepted Iran’s ten conditions for a permanent peace. In fact, what took place is that President Donald Trump said Iran’s ten points can be discussed during upcoming talks. Many analysts pointed out that the gap between Trump’s fifteen conditions and Iran’s position is so wide that it is hard to imagine a permanent agreement materializing in just two weeks.
Meanwhile, reports of military activities continue in the region, with Iran reporting bombing of its refinery on Lavan island and reports indicating another attack on petrochemical facilities on Siri island. Iran targeted Israel and Kuwait with multiple waves of missiles and drones. It is not clear when Tehran will allow maritime traffic to resume through the Strait of Hormuz, although global markets were celebrating the ceasefire announcement with huge gains in equities. Oil prices fell around 15 percent on the morning of April 8.
The United States and Israel have destroyed military, industrial, and infrastructure targets worth tens of billions of dollars.
While Tehran claims victory, its losses are staggering. The United States and Israel have destroyed military, industrial, and infrastructure targets worth tens of billions of dollars. They have eliminated dozens of top military and political leaders, leaving second- and third-tier figures in charge of operations. Iran’s relations with its Arab neighbors are in tatters after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired hundreds of missiles and drones at them.
The Iranian news media have not fully reported the reverberation of the war on the Iranian economy. Tehran’s depleted finances, skyrocketing inflation, and lack of a rescue plan were already reaching unbearable levels before the war. In fact, the economic crisis triggered the initial anti-regime protests in December 2025 that led to millions of citizens taking over the streets on January 8 and 9, 2026.
The two-week ceasefire will not help Iran’s economy. The only solution for Tehran is to reach a lasting agreement with Washington, perhaps reducing sanctions and boosting its oil exports.
The destroyed military bases, missile launchers, nuclear facilities, the military industry, bridges and government buildings cannot be rebuilt in months, or even in a few years. Poverty, high inflation, and lack of effective governance will likely get worse amid the threat of additional popular protests.
