Iranian and American Reports Contradict.

US and Iranian forces have clashed in the Straits of Hormuz. Iran has been blockading the Straits of Hormuz since April, causing economic chaos in the West. The US, in response, imposed a blockade of its own on Iranian ports to give Iran similar grief. Trump reported that "3 world-class destroyers just transited very successfully, out of The Straits of Hormuz, under fire. There was no damage done to the 3 destroyers, but great damage was done to the Iranian attackers". Mr. Trump posted this on his social media outlet, "Truth Social".

Trump, conversely, said that the ceasefire was still holding. However, the Iranians reported a different set of circumstances in their clashes with American forces on the high seas and in the air. Iran accused the US of violating the terms of the ceasefire. Accusing the US of attacking an Iranian tanker, another Iranian ship (the definition of the ship: military or civilian was not disclosed). Iran also accused the US of hitting civilian targets on an Iranian island in the Straits of Hormuz. This island also houses Iranian naval bases. Other coastal areas were attacked, according to the Iranians. Iranian air defences were also activated in US air attacks, supposedly.

In war, it is only natural to big up your own forces and denigrate those of your enemies. However, the sensible position is do not trust any propaganda your own side puts out or the adversary. That, for me, is certainly the case in any war past, present, or future. And at any time in history. The Iranians reported, contrary to what Trump said, that they had inflicted damage on the American vessels, presumably the 3 destroyers crossing through the Straits of Hormuz that Trump was referencing. Trump said the American ships had caused maximum damage, as I said earlier, to the Iranians.

In propaganda, there will be truth, half-truths, and damn lies. Such is the nature of war and the conduct of humans. This is typical of a primate species, which can be clearly seen in how chimps conduct themselves.

So, where are we now as regards this so-called war? Currently, there is supposed to be a ceasefire allegedly brokered by Pakistan. Why would Pakistan, a nation that enjoys good relationships with the US and the IRI (Islamic Republic of Iran), want peace or at least a ceasefire between the two combatants if you exclude Israel in the equation? There is no diplomatic relationship between Israel and Iran.

Pakistan does not want supplies disrupted from the Persian Gulf, whether that be oil or liquified gas. Pakistan, which has and probably is still engaged in border skirmishes with the Taliban, wants a quiet border with itself and Iran. Pakistan should an Iranian, Israeli, or American projectile fly over the border into Pakistan does not want to be in that position. A position that would make it retaliate, whether that projectile is a bomb, a missile, or a drone and no matter who fired it and even if it was not meant to hit Pakistan. Or, at the very least, it would expect an apology from whoever fired that projectile. To be fair, it is probably unlikely that Iran would be responsible for attacking itself, thus allowing one of its projectiles to fly over the border into Pakistan. Any rogue projectile would most likely be an American or Israeli projectile that missed its target in Iran and flew over the border into Pakistan.

Pakistan is also aware that its powerful enemy India is at its back. India is a close ally of Israel, and so if Pakistan entered the war, presumably on the side of Iran (which would cost it much in its relationship with the US), there is the danger that India might also enter the war. Pakistan then would be fighting enemies on 3 fronts. India to its back, Israel and possibly the US in front of it as they fight Iran. And, ongoing clashes with the Afghan Taliban forces to its north.

Trump has said for the record, despite the contradictions coming out of the White House, the ceasefire holds. However, tenuous it is despite flare-ups now and again between both sides. There is a word of a permanent peace deal, but as yet it has not transpired.

Both sides no doubt want an end to this foolish and unnecessary war. Iran is in economic meltdown, and the war has made it even harder for the country.

Trump now realises this war has achieved none of its objectives. The war is very unpopular among many ordinary Americans already facing a cost-of-living crisis. And politically speaking, Trump might be toast in the mid-term elections, in which only the Democrats can benefit.

So it is ultimately in the long-term interests of both the US and the Iranians that this war must end. For Israel, however, the third party in this still fighting Hezbollah, ending the war may not be the outcome it wants.