Iran ‘clear victor of war’, admits leading Israeli newspaper

The US-Israeli war has ended in a "decisive victory for Iran," with both the US and Israel conceding to a "strategic surrender" and retreating from the battlefield, Israel's Maariv newspaper has admitted.

The review followed the announcement of a ceasefire early Wednesday after 41 days of intense fighting between Iran and US-Israeli forces.

The report highlighted that, despite the assassination of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iran’s political structure remained intact, its nuclear program preserved, and control over the Strait of Hormuz effectively in Tehran's hands.

Maariv pointed out that although the ceasefire is temporary, the negotiations set to begin later this week are likely to see Iran and the Axis of Resistance emerging as the key victors of the war.

The report underscored the "massive defeat" of the US and Israeli forces, which would carry long-term consequences, particularly in Lebanon, and would bolster Iran's regional position in the Persian Gulf for years to come.

The Israeli newspaper also emphasized that Iran has imposed a deal largely of its own design on the US, rejecting Washington's proposal.

Throughout the war, Iran continued to target Israeli and American assets in occupied Palestine and US military bases in the Persian Gulf, maintaining its resilience even after 41 days of fighting.

Maariv stated that Tehran’s acceptance of a ceasefire agreement showed clear signs of "surrender" from the Western parties involved.

Addressing the goals of the war from the Israeli perspective, Maariv noted that despite the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei, the country’s political system did not collapse. Instead, a new generation of younger, more revolutionary leaders has risen to power.

Iran, the report said, has not been compelled to relinquish any of its 450 kilograms of enriched uranium, and any discussions on further uranium enrichment would be left to future negotiations.

Iran’s missile capabilities were also a central point in the report, with Tehran showing no intention to limit or halt its ballistic missile program. Additionally, the Strait of Hormuz was reaffirmed as a major strategic asset for Iran, where it could now impose fees on ships passing through.

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Maariv also acknowledged that the war has a major impact on Hezbollah in Lebanon, stating that the group will emerge stronger from the aggression, with the Israeli regime having failed to achieve its goal of disarming the resistance group.

Internally, the report highlighted the shock within Israeli settlements, with airports closed, thousands of rockets fired from Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon, and significant damage on the ground.

Hundreds of casualties were reported, alongside substantial damage to infrastructure.

According to former Israeli military chief Gabi Ashkenazi, "Iran fired the last shot," adding that after 41 days of fighting, Iran has maintained its firepower and stood firm.

“This war had only one victor and the Strait of Hormuz becomes a source of endless wealth for Iran,” he added.

Maariv also said Iran has emerged as the clear victor of the war, now controlling the Strait of Hormuz like a "cash machine," generating substantial revenue from vessels passing through the vital waterway.

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