Amidst the most intense phase of the decades-long conflict between Israel and Iran in June 2025, former President Donald Trump adopted a uniquely public and unfiltered approach to diplomacy: real-time commentary and directives delivered primarily via his social media platform, Truth Social. This strategy punctuated twelve days of escalating violence, marked by rapid shifts between bellicose warnings and calls for peace, culminating in a chaotic attempt at a cease-fire managed from afar.
The path to a potential truce was fraught with dangerous escalation. The conflict had broadened significantly days earlier when the United States, in conjunction with Israel, launched direct military strikes against three Iranian nuclear sites (Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan) on June 21 and 22. Codenamed “Midnight Hammer,” this operation reportedly involved B-2 bombers deploying massive 30,000-pound “bunker buster” bombs (GBU-57 MOPs) – capabilities Israel had sought from the U.S. to target deep underground facilities.
Iran retaliated directly against U.S. interests, launching missiles at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Monday, June 24, shortly before the cease-fire attempt. This attack, framed by Tehran as a response to the U.S. strikes, was characterized by Trump on Truth Social as a “very weak response” to the “Obliteration” of Iran’s nuclear facilities. While Qatari defenses reportedly intercepted most missiles and no U.S. casualties were reported at the large base, the exchange underscored the perilous expansion of the conflict.
Trump’s Cease-Fire Announcement Sparks Confusion
Against this backdrop of high tension, Trump took to Truth Social to announce a breakthrough. Late on June 23, around 6 p.m. ET, he declared that Iran and Israel had reached a multi-stage cease-fire agreement, set to take effect overnight and end what he dubbed “THE 12 DAY WAR.”
Early the next morning, at 1:08 a.m. ET, Trump proclaimed the cease-fire was “NOW IN EFFECT,” issuing a stern warning to both sides: “PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!” However, critical details regarding timing and sequencing remained unclear, and Iran initially denied that any such deal had been reached.
Immediate Violations and Whiplash
The hours following Trump’s declaration saw rapid, conflicting actions on the ground.
Shortly before 7 a.m. ET (around 3 a.m. local time), U.S. and Israeli officials reported that Israel launched airstrikes targeting Iranian forces in Tehran, stating this was a response to a perceived Iranian violation of the emerging truce.
Around 7 a.m. local time, when the cease-fire was supposedly taking effect, Iran responded with missile launches.
Adding to the confusion, an Iranian missile strike had reportedly hit a residential building in Beer Sheva, Israel, killing four people just before the cease-fire was due to begin.
Both Israel and Iran subsequently denied violating the cease-fire, with each side accusing the other of breaches.
Trump reacted swiftly and publicly to the renewed hostilities. At 6:50 a.m. ET, he posted a direct message to Israel on Truth Social: “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!” This public criticism of a key U.S. ally marked a notable departure from typical presidential decorum.
Departing for a NATO summit later that morning, a visibly frustrated Trump told reporters that Israel and Iran “have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f they’re doing.”
The Call to Netanyahu
Aboard Air Force One, Trump reportedly called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding that Israel call off further strikes. A Trump administration official stated that Netanyahu agreed to limit Israel’s response, ultimately striking only one radar site, according to the Prime Minister’s office. Trump later recounted telling Netanyahu, “You got to turn back the planes,” asserting that Israel complied despite having been “entitled to” retaliate for Iran’s earlier actions.
Beyond the Cease-Fire: Trump’s Broader Posts
Trump’s social media output during the crisis wasn’t limited to cease-fire directives. He used Truth Social to:
Announce the U.S. raid on Iranian nuclear sites.
Suggest the possibility of regime change in Iran (“If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??”).
Demand that “EVERYONE” keep oil prices down.
Comment on Iran’s Qatar base attack, thanking them controversially for “early notice.”
Mix in his usual posts on favorable polls and claims like “TRUMP WAS RIGHT about everything.”
This flurry of sometimes-contradictory statements led the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, to offer a unique perspective, describing the individual posts as a “one-instrument band” that collectively formed a “concert.”
A Shaky Peace? Outlook and Expert Views
By early evening in the Middle East, the cease-fire was reportedly holding, though accounts of who initiated the morning’s violations remained disputed.
Experts voiced skepticism about the truce’s longevity. Brian Katulis of the Middle East Institute warned that the cease-fire would be “shaky and Trump’s endless use of troll power will risk undercutting the weak foundation at every moment.” However, experts also noted a broader regional desire for de-escalation, particularly among Gulf states like Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, who have served as “quiet shock absorbers” during the conflict.
Trump Declares Victory*
Despite the morning’s chaos, Trump continued to highlight the cease-fire on social media, portraying it as a major victory. He even amplified posts suggesting his actions positioned him for a Nobel Peace Prize. While the immediate fighting paused, his unconventional, unfiltered social media commentary remained a central element of his engagement with the volatile situation. As he put it in one final post on the matter, echoing a phrase used repeatedly throughout the week: “Nobody will be hurt, the ceasefire is in effect. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
