Trump Announces Ceasefire Between Israel and Iran
In a surprising announcement on Monday evening, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated via social media that Israel and Iran agree to ceasefire, potentially ending nearly two weeks of escalating conflict between the two nations. The post, shared on Truth Social, outlined a phased truce involving two 12-hour ceasefire periods.
Structure of the Ceasefire Agreement
According to Trump, the ceasefire plan began with a 12-hour halt to hostilities by Iran, starting at 12 a.m. EDT. Israel would then observe a second 12-hour ceasefire once Iran’s “final missions” had concluded. After both parties completed their respective ceasefire windows, the war would officially be declared over at the 24-hour mark.
“Assuming everything proceeds as planned—and it will—I want to congratulate both countries, Israel and Iran, for the stamina, courage, and intelligence to bring an end to what should be called ‘THE 12-DAY WAR,’” Trump wrote.
Mixed Responses and Ongoing Tensions
Despite Trump’s optimistic tone, officials from both Israel and Iran initially refrained from issuing formal responses. However, just before the proposed ceasefire was set to take effect, Israel reported a fresh wave of Iranian missile attacks, which killed at least three people—casting doubt on the immediate implementation of the truce.
Iran Responds to Ceasefire Claims
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied the existence of any formal ceasefire agreement in a social media post earlier that day. Nevertheless, he hinted at a conditional halt in operations, stating that if Israel ceased its strikes by 4 a.m. Tehran time (8:30 p.m. EDT), Iran would not continue retaliatory action.
“A final decision regarding the cessation of military operations will be made later,” Araghchi added, while commending Iranian armed forces for responding to every act of aggression until the last minute.
Background: How the Conflict Escalated
The conflict, now being referred to by some as the 12-Day War, began on June 12 when Israel launched targeted airstrikes on multiple Iranian military and nuclear installations. Israel defended the attacks as a “preemptive” strike, citing intelligence that Iran was nearing nuclear weapons capability—a claim Tehran firmly rejected.
Two days before Trump’s ceasefire announcement, the United States formally entered the conflict by striking three Iranian nuclear sites. The situation further escalated on Monday when Iran launched missiles targeting Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar—the largest U.S. military base in the region.
Although the missiles were successfully intercepted with assistance from Qatari forces, the attack raised concerns of broader regional destabilization. Trump responded by downplaying Iran’s move, calling it a “very weak” retaliation and encouraging restraint.
A Fragile Peace: What Comes Next?
As the international community watches closely, the announcement that Israel and Iran agree to ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope for de-escalation in the Middle East. However, conflicting statements and continued attacks in the hours leading up to the truce raise questions about how firmly the agreement will hold.
With no official confirmation yet from either government, the road to peace remains uncertain. Diplomats and analysts alike are urging continued dialogue and de-escalation to prevent further bloodshed in the region.
