US ceasefire with Iran: What’s next? A former diplomat explains 3 possible scenarios

Both countries seem tired of the costs of war and ongoing risks, but successful negotiations will have to overcome deep distrust by both sides.

By: Donald Heflin, Tufts University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: April 10, 2026

Words: 1,176

Last Updated: 3 months, 3 weeks ago

By Donald Heflin, Tufts University

President Donald Trump on April 7, 2026, announced a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, after more than a month of war marked by U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iranian military leadership, Iranian retaliation against regional oil infrastructure and a global energy crisis.

As a former U.S. diplomat, I have found there are three ways that warring parties arrive at a ceasefire.

The first …

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