A ceasefire between Iran and US may crown Tehran the region’s next top power
Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative, called this moment a turning point. “A pause in the war could provide fragile relief, not a lasting peace, and the risk of re-escalation remains high. Iran will emerge as the most important power in West Asia, replacing Saudi Arabia.”
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“The crisis reveals a broader reality: with the US directly involved as the aggressor, global institutions and most national leaders look the other way. India should seize this window as an opportunity to urgently rebuild and expand its crude oil, LPG and LNG reserves by providing additional supplies. To reduce vulnerability to geopolitical shocks, India should deepen long-term energy partnerships with stable suppliers such as Russia,” he said.
US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would temporarily halt military action also fueled the debate about who actually shaped the agreement; whether this is China’s silent pressure or Pakistan’s constant diplomatic intervention.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump directly credited Islamabad’s assistance:
“Based on my discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, in which they requested me to stop the destructive force that will be sent to Iran tonight, and subject to the agreement of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend Iranian bombing and aggression for two weeks. This will be a bilateral Ceasefire!” he said.Also Read: What did Trump’s 39-day war achieve: Hormuz award to Iran
A two-week pause in hostilities between the United States and Iran may seem like a mere respite in the war. But it actually points to something bigger: a possible shift in who has the most power in West Asia to replace Saudi Arabia.
Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative, called this moment a turning point. “A pause in the war could provide fragile relief, not a lasting peace, and the risk of re-escalation remains high. Iran will emerge as the most important power in West Asia, replacing Saudi Arabia.”
“The crisis reveals a broader reality: with the US directly involved as the aggressor, global institutions and most national leaders look the other way. India should seize this window as an opportunity to urgently rebuild and expand its crude oil, LPG and LNG reserves by providing additional supplies. To reduce vulnerability to geopolitical shocks, India should deepen long-term energy partnerships with stable suppliers such as Russia,” he said.
Trump officially confirmed that the United States would suspend its “bombing and assault” campaign for two weeks, aligning the pause with a broader diplomatic framework that includes a 10-point peace proposal from Tehran. The decision came less than two hours before a deadline set by Washington for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face major attacks targeting civilian infrastructure.
Also Read: Behind the US-Iran ceasefire: Was it China in the shadows or Pakistan in the spotlight?
The two countries have since agreed to a ceasefire and Pakistan has played a mediating role in bridging communication between the two sides.
The deal is closely linked to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but critical sea lane that previously handled about a fifth of global oil shipments before tensions rose following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran earlier this year.
From Tehran’s perspective, the result reflects strategic strength. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council called the ceasefire a victory, arguing that Washington had effectively accepted Iran’s basic conditions for cessation of hostilities.
Meanwhile, Pakistan moved quickly to build momentum. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had invited delegations from both Iran and the United States to Islamabad for further talks aimed at turning the temporary pause into a more permanent solution.
As the situation develops, the ceasefire is being read not just as a diplomatic pause but as a sign of Iran’s shift in influence as it increasingly shapes outcomes in the region, raising questions about whether Saudi Arabia’s long-standing dominance in West Asia is beginning to erode.
