Ex-US envoy says truce confusion between Israel, Iran is normal

Former US ambassador to Iraq, James Jeffrey, says the confusion surrounding the ceasefire declared by Donald Trump between Israel and Iran is typical of how truces usually unfold.

“Over the past 50 years … I’ve seen a dozen ceasefires. They’re all messy,” Jeffrey told Al Jazeera. “Not all the troops get the orders … The timelines are [often] wrong.”

He added that while the situation appears chaotic, “this confusion is normal confusion”, noting that things seem to be “moving in a very, very positive direction” given Iran’s signal that it may halt strikes if Israel does the same.

Jeffrey warned that Israel’s right-wing cabinet could pose the greatest challenge to the truce taking hold. However, he said: “Trump is going to make it very clear” that he’s done Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a major favour by striking Iran’s Fordow nuclear site - “and he’s not going to take no for an answer.”