Kathmandu: The region is witnessing a fragile calm on the second day of the ceasefire following 12 days of intense military conflict between Iran and Israel. While the guns have fallen silent for now, the geopolitical and nuclear fallout continues to unfold.

US President Donald Trump hailed the ceasefire as "going well" and claimed that American airstrikes had inflicted severe damage on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, setting the program back by "decades." However, US intelligence assessments paint a more cautious picture, suggesting that while damage was significant, several underground nuclear sites remain intact. Analysts believe Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been delayed only by a few months rather than years.

Israel, meanwhile, has expressed confidence in the operation's effectiveness. The Israeli military declared it had caused "significant damage" to Iran's nuclear facilities, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a "historic victory" for Israel’s defense strategy.

Iranian President Masoud Peskov responded by reaffirming Iran’s right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Iran's cyber authorities also announced that efforts to restore internet services, which had been restricted during the conflict, were underway.

In a gesture of national mourning, Iran is set to hold a state funeral on Saturday for senior military officers and scientists who were killed in the war. Among the dead is Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami, who was killed during an Israeli operation on the first day of the conflict. He will be buried on Thursday.

According to the Iranian Health Ministry, 610 civilians were killed during the war, while Israeli authorities reported 28 casualties from Iranian strikes.

Diplomatic tensions remain high. Israel has officially designated Iran's central bank as a sponsor of terrorism, accusing it of financing militant activities across the Middle East. This designation is likely to deepen the diplomatic chasm between the two nations and could impact future financial sanctions.

In a significant move that could further destabilize nuclear oversight, the Iranian parliament has voted to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The decision awaits final approval from Iran’s Guardian Council. If enacted, it would complicate international monitoring of Iran’s nuclear activities and further strain global non-proliferation efforts.

While the ceasefire has halted active hostilities, experts warn that the conflict’s underlying issues remain unresolved. The path forward is fraught with diplomatic and strategic uncertainties, as the region braces for the long-term consequences of the latest clash.