U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Iran and Israel have agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire.” This comes after ten days of intense military exchanges that left nearly 500 people dead and caused widespread destruction in the Middle East.
“It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE… for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
The declaration marks a dramatic pause in what analysts feared was spiralling toward a multi-front regional war involving the U.S., Israel, Iran, and Gulf states.
Ceasefire Follows Iranian Strikes on U.S. Base in Qatar
The ceasefire agreement came just hours after Iran launched missile strikes. They targeted the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East. The attack was in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes over the weekend on three Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Trump downplayed the Iranian retaliation, calling the strikes “very weak” and asserting that “no American was injured and no damage was recorded,” thanks to successful interceptions by Qatari air defence systems.
Qatar later confirmed that its forces had intercepted multiple incoming missiles. They also condemned the Iranian attack as a “flagrant violation of sovereignty.” The Gulf state temporarily shut down its airspace and issued alerts for U.S. and UK citizens to shelter in place.
Timeline of Escalation: From Israeli Strikes to Regional Flashpoint
The conflict began on June 13, when Israel launched a surprise aerial assault on Iranian targets, including military personnel and nuclear facilities. The initial attack reportedly killed high-ranking officers from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and several nuclear scientists.
In response, Iran vowed to retaliate, launching missile barrages at Israeli territory. Israel responded with expanded strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including a political prison in Tehran. They also coordinated closely with the United States in targeting nuclear sites.
By June 22, Iran escalated further by directly targeting U.S. assets in the Gulf, prompting an emergency meeting of the U.S. National Security Council and widespread international concern.
Diplomatic Implications and Uncertain Next Steps
The ceasefire welcomes a temporary de-escalation, but questions about its durability remain. President Trump’s post stated that the ceasefire would last for 12 hours, after which “the War will be considered ENDED.” However, neither Tehran nor Tel Aviv has issued official statements confirming long-term de-escalation.
Meanwhile, Russia has pledged support for Iran, with President Vladimir Putin condemning the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes as “unprovoked aggression.” Moscow has offered to mediate between the parties.
International observers are cautiously optimistic but warn that without a broader diplomatic agreement, the fragile ceasefire could collapse under the weight of unresolved hostilities and competing regional interests.
