So much for trusting Iran to keep its word.
During an appearance on Fox News’ Ingraham Angle, former Trump administration counterterrorism official Amb. Nathan Sales made it crystal clear: the Iranian regime hasn’t followed the ceasefire agreement—not even for a moment. According to Sales, violations began “from the moment the ink was dry.”
The agreement itself was straightforward. The United States would halt its “punishing and crippling” military offensive, and in return, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global shipping route. Simple deal, right?
Not exactly.
Sales explained that Iran never fully honored that commitment. Instead, the regime reportedly attached conditions—demanding tolls, restricting passage to certain waters near Iranian territory, and requiring coordination with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In other words, “we’ll follow the deal… but only if we rewrite it.” Classic.
“They’ve been breaking the ceasefire since day one,” Sales emphasized, leaving little room for interpretation.
And it doesn’t stop there.
Sales also raised a deeper concern about leadership inside Iran. With no public statements from the supreme leader since the early days of the conflict, questions are starting to pile up. Who’s actually calling the shots? Who’s making decisions on military strategy and diplomacy?
There are even rumors suggesting the supreme leader may have been severely wounded during the war—though no official confirmation has been provided. Still, the silence is hard to ignore.
At the end of the day, this situation reinforces a familiar pattern: agreements with Iran tend to come with… creative interpretations on their side. And when those interpretations start immediately, it raises serious doubts about reliability moving forward.
For now, one thing is clear—when it comes to ceasefires, words are one thing. Actions are another. And in this case, the gap between the two is impossible to miss.
The takeaway? Strength and clarity matter in global negotiations—and when they’re applied consistently, results tend to follow.