Trump Announces Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Iran
Former President Donald Trump announced late Monday night that Israel and Iran have reached an agreement to cease hostilities, effective starting at 7:00 AM local time. According to Trump, Iran will halt its fire first for a duration of 12 hours, followed by Israel ceasing its military actions around 7:00 PM. “At hour 24, the world will officially celebrate the end of the 12-day war,” Trump stated, adding that both nations will complete any last missions by morning.
Confirmation of the Ceasefire
As the ceasefire took effect, Trump posted a message on social media urging both sides to uphold the agreement, saying, “Ceasefire is now in effect, please do not break it! Donald J. Trump, President of the United States!” An Iranian official confirmed the ceasefire to Reuters, crediting Qatar as the mediator in the negotiations.
In the early morning, after a series of deadly missile strikes in Be’er Sheva, Iran declared that it had begun the ceasefire. Shortly thereafter, Israel also confirmed the commencement of the agreement, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicating that Israel had accomplished all objectives of Operation “Lion Among Us” and expressed a willingness to adhere to the ceasefire, in full coordination with President Trump.
Diplomatic Efforts and Reactions
In a social media post, Trump congratulated both Israel and Iran on their “resilience, courage, and wisdom” in concluding what he termed the “12-day war.” He emphasized that the conflict could have escalated further but did not, and he expressed hope for a prosperous future for both countries.
The ceasefire was brokered with the help of Qatar, which had facilitated communication between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Following the Iranian attack on the U.S. base at Al Udeid, Trump and Vstart President J.D. Vance engaged with the Emir of Qatar to propose the ceasefire, leading to Iran’s eventual agreement.
Israeli officials viewed the outcome as a definitive victory, citing a desire for a longer operational period to fulfill their objectives, but ultimately acknowledging the necessity for resolution. Reports of explosions emerged from Tehran, indicating continued tensions despite the ceasefire announcement.
Future Implications
In further commentary, Vstart President Vance noted that the ceasefire represents a potential turning point for regional stability, stating, “The president hit the reset button, offering long-term peace for the area.” He also issued a stern warning that if Iran pursued nuclear capabilities again, the U.S. would take action.
The announcement has prompted varied reactions from political figures in the U.S. Micael Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, described the ceasefire as a positive development that alleviated the immediate threat.
As both nations navigate this fragile peace, the long-term implications of the ceasefire remain uncertain, but the international community continues to hope for a sustained resolution to hostilities in the region