Amid chaos and confusion, the U.S. Israel, and Iran try to figure out what ceasefire deal means; Trump and Hegseth are involved, but that hardly is reassuring

(Getty Images, Axios)

Americans who have been paying attention during Donald Trump's second term probably are never surprised when the administration's incompetence rears its ugly head. Surprise only comes if Team Trump completes a task with honesty, efficiency, and clarity. If you give me several years, I might think of such a completed task, but right now I'm coming up empty. It already seems clear the ceasefire in the Iran war will not be that task. An account at Axios about the peace process carries this unassuring headline: "Iran ceasefire clouded by confusion, contradictions." At the Axios PM newsletter, Barak Ravid writes:

The U.S., Israel and Iran agree that a ceasefire is in effect — but they're contradicting each other and themselves on what's been agreed on and what happens next.

• Those differences will have to be reconciled in negotiations, starting Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan.
• One thing everyone agrees on: There's no guarantee the war is over.

Axios makes it clear that Trump is actively involved in the peace process, so chaos should be expected. After all, creating chaos seems to be Trump's No. 1 "talent," if you want to call it that. Ravid writes:

President Trump's key condition for a ceasefire was reopening the Strait of Hormuz. But it's unclear how open it actually is. Iran halted ships there yesterday after fresh Israeli attacks against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, per Iranian state media.

• Iran and the Pakistani mediators say the ceasefire applies to Lebanon. The U.S. and Israel disagree. Attacks also took place during the ceasefire's first 12 hours against oil facilities in Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait.

• Pakistan's prime minister warned such actions "undermine the spirit of the peace process."

Pete Hegseth, U.S. secretary of war, tried to downplay signs of confusion. But Hegseth never has been known as a voice of clarity. Ravid writes:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a press conference today that Iran's attacks continued because of Iranian communications issues.

• Hegseth said: "It takes time for a ceasefire to take hold. We think it will."

• Both sides say they can quickly resume fighting:

  • Hegseth said today: "We will be hanging around to make sure Iran complies. ... We are prepared to restart in a moment's notice."

• Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement: "We are with our hand on the trigger, ready to respond to any attack with more force."

  Attention now shifts to Saturday's negotiations, with Vice President JD Vance leading the U.S. team.

  • The sides are far apart on several core issues, including money to rebuild Iranian buildings and infrastructure, the fate of Iran's nuclear program, and ending the war between Israel and Hezbollah.