United States President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Iran have agreed to a complete and total ceasefire, marking a possible end to nearly two weeks of military conflict that began on June 12 with an Israeli preemptive strike targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites.
According to the US President Donald Trump, the ceasefire agreement is structured in two twelve-hour phases. Iran is expected to halt all military operations first, followed by Israel. The ceasefire is set to be fully implemented by midnight Eastern time, after which the war will be declared over. Neither Israeli nor Iranian officials have formally confirmed the deal. The announcement followed a limited Iranian missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a U.S. military facility, which caused no casualties and was described by Trump as a weak response.
The ceasefire agreement reportedly emerged following high-level mediation by Qatar. Reportedly, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani secured Iran’s agreement to the U.S. proposal in a phone call shortly after the attack on the U.S. base. This move followed direct communication between Trump and Qatar’s emir.
Iran’s government has not issued an official statement endorsing the ceasefire. Iranian state-linked sources, including the Tehran Times, have cast doubt on the legitimacy of Trump’s announcement, labeling it a tactic to pressure Iran into de-escalation. Iranian officials, including Mahdi Mohammadi, an advisor to the speaker of parliament, stated publicly that they believe the announcement is an attempt to mislead and divide public opinion in Iran.
Despite the U.S. and Qatari-led effort to end hostilities, Israeli airstrikes continued Monday in and around Tehran, including symbolic targets such as the headquarters of Iran’s internal security forces and Evin Prison. These actions have not yet been officially addressed by Iran’s Supreme Leader or President Masoud Pezeshkian, though the president stated on social media that Iran neither started the war nor seeks it, but will continue to defend its territory.
Iranian state television described the Monday missile salvo aimed at Al Udeid as a “mighty and successful response” to U.S. aggression. U.S. officials confirmed that 14 of the 19 missiles were intercepted. The attack was reportedly calculated to mirror the number of bombs dropped by the U.S. on Iranian nuclear sites during its strike on June 22. Iran maintains that most of its nuclear materials were moved prior to the strikes.
Israeli operations over the weekend included attacks on symbolic government and security installations in Tehran, alongside strikes on infrastructure near the Fordow enrichment facility. The Fordow site was also targeted in the U.S. bombing campaign, which used bunker-busting munitions.
Human rights monitors report that Israeli strikes in Iran have resulted in at least 950 deaths, including 380 civilians and 253 members of the security forces. In Israel, at least 24 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded due to Iranian missile and drone attacks.
In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian officials to discuss options for de-escalating the situation. Putin described the U.S. and Israeli attacks as unprovoked aggression. China and Pakistan also criticized the U.S. strikes, while European and Middle Eastern countries have urged restraint and a return to diplomacy.
While the ceasefire announcement signals a possible end to the active phase of the conflict, uncertainties remain. There has been no confirmation of follow-up negotiations, and continued military activity on the ground raises questions about both sides’ commitment to the truce. Israeli officials have suggested that future relations will depend on Iran’s compliance, while Iran’s ability to resume its nuclear activities, with or without international monitoring, remains a concern for regional and global security.
Sources:
Al Jazeera
CTV News
Reuters, ABC News
The Tehran Times
New York Times
Economic Times of India
POLITICO
Official statements from the U.S. and Qatari governments.