Iranians react to US-Israel ceasefire in war against Iran
Crowds gathered in Tehran as Iranians reacted to a two-week cease-fire in the US and Israel’s war against Iran.
The United States and Iran have signed a two-week ceasefire, just hours after President Donald Trump threatened to wipe out “an entire civilization.”
The offer led both countries to declare victory, with Iran saying the Strait of Hormuz would remain open.
But President Trump’s threats against Iran have not yet been forgotten, and prominent Illinoisans have voiced their disapproval. One example is Pope Leo, who was born on the south side of Chicago and was elected Pope in 2025.
What did President Trump say about Iran?
Early Tuesday morning, President Trump warned in a Truth Social post that unless Iran agrees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the entire Iranian civilization will disappear.
“Tonight, an entire civilization will perish, never to rise again,” Trump wrote. “I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”
The comments came hours before an 8pm ET deadline for Iran to reach a deal or face widespread attacks targeting the country’s power plants and bridges.
“Tonight marks one of the most important moments in the world’s long and complex history: 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death will finally come to an end,” Trump wrote. “God bless the great people of Iran!”
How did Pope Leo react to President Trump’s threat to Iran?
The pope told reporters Tuesday that President Trump’s threats against Iran are “truly unacceptable,” according to PBS News Hour.
“There are certainly international law issues here,” he continued. “But the moral issue for the benefit of all citizens is even more important.”
The pope urged the audience to consider that “many innocent people” in Iran, including children and the elderly, had become “victims of this escalation.”
“I would like to encourage the citizens of all countries concerned to contact their authorities, political leaders and parliamentarians and urge them to work for peace and always reject war,” he said, pleading for a peace solution.
Is the war in Iran over? What does a ceasefire agreement mean?
During the two-week ceasefire, negotiations will take place, fighting will stop and the Strait of Hormuz will remain open.
President Trump said Wednesday that the United States will “work closely with Iran,” adding that there is “a lot” of agreement. Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military is “doing its job for now” but “remains prepared” to resume attacks if Iran violates the cease-fire agreement.
Both countries have said Iran will hand over enriched uranium and renounce future enrichment, but Iran has repeatedly reaffirmed its right to enrich. President Trump also threatened to impose 50% tariffs on countries that supply weapons to Iran.
Despite the agreement, missiles and drones continued to fly over the Persian Gulf region on Wednesday morning, with the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait reportedly reporting injuries and limited damage.
What did Pope Leo say about the Armistice?
Pope Leo on Wednesday called on the world to take part in “this moment of prayerful and delicate diplomacy, in the hope that this willingness for dialogue will also be a means of resolving other conflict situations around the world.”
In a post on
“After the last few hours of great tension for the #Middle East and the whole world, I welcome with satisfaction the announcement of an immediate two-week ceasefire and as a sign of hope for life. Only by returning to negotiations can we end the war.”
Contributions: Michael Loria, Zac Anderson, Cybele Mayes-Osterman, Christopher Cann, USA TODAY
