In a dramatic late-night announcement, former President Donald Trump declared on social media that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire, signaling a potential end to nearly two weeks of intense cross-border air assaults he dubbed “THE 12 DAY WAR.”
According to Trump’s post on Truth Social, the proposed agreement involved a phased approach with two 12-hour ceasefire periods. The first was set to begin with Iran around midnight EDT, followed by Israel observing a second 12-hour pause. Trump stated that after a total of 24 hours, the conflict would be officially over. He commended both nations for their “Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence” in reaching the apparent understanding, assuming it held.
Confusion and Contradiction on the Ground
However, Trump’s surprise announcement was immediately met with confusion and conflicting signals from the involved parties.
Neither Israeli nor Iranian officials publicly confirmed the agreement in the hours following Trump’s post. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, explicitly denied on social media that any “agreement” on a ceasefire existed. He did, however, offer a conditional de-escalation, stating that if Israel ceased its strikes by 4 a.m. Tehran time (8:30 p.m. EDT), Iran had “no intention to continue our response afterwards.”
Adding to the uncertainty, both sides reported continued military actions even as the Trump-announced ceasefire was purportedly set to begin. Israel reported that Iran launched a barrage of missiles shortly before the supposed midnight EDT start, resulting in casualties in Beersheba. Israel’s defense chief accused Iran of breaching the fragile understanding and vowed a forceful response. Israel also stated it conducted a “final round of strikes” just before the ceasefire deadline.
Meanwhile, Iran’s state television announced that a ceasefire had begun, while concurrently, Israel reported detecting new missile launches from Iran shortly after Iran’s own conditional deadline of 4 a.m. Tehran time and Trump’s proposed start time. These post-deadline launches prompted further Israeli actions, including a limited strike on a radar site near Tehran, which Israel presented as retaliation for these later violations.
Behind the Pause: US Intervention and Brokering Efforts
The conflict had escalated dramatically following the US joining the fray just two days prior, launching strikes on Iranian nuclear targets. This intervention, some reports suggest, may have contributed to getting Israel to consider an end to its campaign if Iran reciprocated.
While Trump claimed both nations simultaneously approached him for peace, other accounts indicate intermediaries played a role. Qatar is reported to have acted as a key go-between, relaying messages between Iran (via the US) and the US regarding de-escalation. White House officials confirmed direct communication between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the agreement.
Despite the chaotic start and initial violations, the ceasefire eventually appeared to take hold later. President Trump reportedly engaged in a “exceptionally firm and direct” phone call with Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the necessity of maintaining the pause in fighting, after which Israel’s office confirmed they had “refrained from further attacks” following their limited retaliatory strike.
Context of the Conflict and Its Cost
This intense period of fighting began on June 12 when Israel launched a series of strikes against dozens of Iranian military targets, including sites related to its nuclear program. Israel defended these actions as “preemptive,” citing intelligence indicating Iran’s “significant advancement” toward obtaining a nuclear weapon – claims Iran denied.
Iran’s response included missile attacks targeting Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military base in the region. While these missiles were largely intercepted, they highlighted the risk of wider regional escalation.
The brief conflict came at a significant human cost. Reports indicated at least 1,000 people were killed during the 12 days of fighting. Human rights activists reported nearly 1,000 deaths in Israeli strikes in Iran, including civilians and military personnel, while Israel reported at least 28 deaths from Iranian missile attacks.
Looking Ahead: Uncertainty Remains
As the ceasefire appeared to solidify, leaders on both sides offered differing perspectives. The Israeli military declared the “campaign against Iran is not over” but that a significant phase had concluded with “phenomenal achievement,” setting back Iran’s programs by years. They indicated focus would shift back to Gaza. Iranian state media described the pause as “the imposition of a ceasefire on the Zionist enemy,” while Iran’s President stated they would respect it if Israel did. Some voices within Iran expressed scepticism about its durability or viewed it as highlighting regime weakness.
Internationally, the UN nuclear watchdog welcomed the ceasefire but stressed the need for Iran to resume cooperation amidst reports of “extensive damage” at Iranian nuclear sites during the strikes. The UN Human Rights Office commented on a reported strike on an Iranian prison as a “grave breach.”
The terms of the ceasefire remain largely undefined, leaving uncertainty about what constitutes a violation or the future stability of the pause. While Trump publicly claimed success in stopping the war and destroying nuclear capabilities, the path forward for de-escalation in the volatile region remains complex.
