Washington and Tehran in a Temporary Truce as Baghdad Breathes a Security Sigh of Relief

Security reports in Baghdad reflected widespread relief following the cessation of hostilities and missile strikes between US forces and the Iranian side under the agreed 14-day truce. Iraqi security commands reported that this pause led to an immediate reduction in the maximum alert status (C) previously imposed around the Green Zone and sensitive military bases. American intelligence circles view the truce as an opportunity to assess the field situation, while Iraqi authorities are working hard to exploit this temporary pause to defuse the political and security timebombs that almost ignited a proxy war in its cities.