Washington: Israel and Iran have reached an agreement for a "complete" and "total" ceasefire to bring an end to their ongoing conflict, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday. This development comes amidst escalating fears that the hostilities could expand into a broader war across the Middle East.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Trump disclosed the ceasefire agreement following Iran's launch of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles targeting Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which is the largest U.S. military installation in the region. This missile attack was a response to the United States' strikes on three significant Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend.
President Trump shared the details of the ceasefire on Truth Social, stating, "It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!" He further explained that Iran would initiate the ceasefire, and after 12 hours, Israel would follow suit, culminating in an official end to what he termed the "12-day war."
The conflict began on June 13 when Israel launched attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and missile factories, leading to the death of top Iranian military personnel and nuclear scientists. Israel defended its actions, citing an existential threat from Iran's nuclear ambitions, particularly as Iranian-backed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah have been weakened following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria.
Earlier on Monday, Iran retaliated with a missile barrage aimed at the U.S. base in Qatar, an action that was widely anticipated. President Trump acknowledged that Iran provided advance notice of the attack, allowing the U.S. to prevent any casualties.
"I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured," Trump stated. Of the 14 missiles fired by Iran, 13 were intercepted, while one was allowed to proceed as it posed no threat.
The conflict saw the U.S. directly engaging in hostilities when President Trump ordered precision strikes on Iran's nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. This operation, codenamed Midnight Hammer, was described by Trump as a "spectacular" success, effectively crippling Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities. Despite the intense military exchanges, Trump emphasized that the ceasefire agreement would prevent the war from causing long-term regional devastation.