Iran Sets Ceasefire Conditions Amid Intensifying U.S. Air Campaign

As the conflict between the United States and Iran enters its 12th day, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that American and Israeli forces have struck over 15,000 targets. Describing Iran's military as 'devastated,' Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine warned that the campaign is transitioning into its most intense phase, with heavy bombing planned for military infrastructure and threats near the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has formally outlined three conditions for a ceasefire, most notably demanding reparations from the U.S. and Israel for infrastructure damage. This marks the first time senior Iranian leadership has publicly tied compensation to a cessation of hostilities. Concurrently, Iran has intensified its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, reportedly laying mines in the strategic waterway, which has contributed to global oil prices spiking to $100 per barrel. Domestically, President Donald Trump faces mounting pressure from Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer regarding a missile strike on an Iranian all-girls elementary school. Schumer has accused the administration of misleading the public about the incident, citing preliminary intelligence suggesting U.S. military involvement. While President Trump has denied knowledge of the specifics, the exchange has triggered a broader debate in Washington regarding military transparency and the environmental and humanitarian costs of the escalating war.