1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

This morning, a ceasefire was announced between Israel and the regime in Iran, brokered by President Trump. Less than an hour later, the regime launched a barrage of missiles into Israel—surprise, surprise. In Beersheba, at least five civilians were killed and over twenty were injured. This is who you made a deal with. Israel has since resumed strikes on regime infrastructure. Is there a ceasefire now? No one seems to know. Even the regime's own foreign minister denied that there was ever a ceasefire.  But here's one thing I certainly know: YOU DON'T MAKE DEALS WITH THUGS. I am entirely against the idea of a ceasefire with the regime at this juncture. Not just because it's doomed, but because it's too late, and because of what it means for the people of Iran. For the first time in years, Iranians had real hope. They chanted openly against the regime with encouragement. They believed the Islamic Republic might actually fall.  With a ceasefire, that hope would become a target, and now we are already seeing it. Just yesterday, the regime passed new laws to crack down on dissent, labeling protesters and critics as collaborators with hostile states, aka Israel, fast-tracking executions, increasing prison times, and launching a wave of arrests and digital blackouts. The regime is turning its rage inwards, arresting, torturing, and silencing anyone who dared believe in freedom. And this isn't just about Iran. A pause gives the regime time to regroup, rearm, and continue spreading chaos and destruction in the region and the world - it will only be a matter of time. Now, I don't know if this was all political theater, if you knew the regime would break the ceasefire, but what I do know is this: both the US and Israel gave strong indications through their words and their actions that they had no intention of leaving the regime intact. If that wasn't real or just rhetoric, it was incredibly irresponsible. Because then a ceasefire wouldn't bring peace, it would bring betrayal, and it would let the regime continue its war on the Iranian people, who will pay the ultimate price. The people of Iran deserve better than to be used as political pawns. The Islamic Republic can not be allowed to remain standing. End the regime now!