President Trump announced that Israel and Iran have agreed to a phased ceasefire set to take full effect within 24 hours. While Iran’s foreign minister stated that Tehran would halt its attacks if Israeli airstrikes ceased by 4 a.m. local time, Israel has yet to formally confirm the arrangement. However, there were no reports of Israeli strikes after the deadline, indicating a possible informal de-escalation.
The violence escalated after Israel launched a surprise attack on Iranian sites on June 13, claiming an urgent need to disrupt a potential nuclear threat. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes, including a barrage aimed at the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. President Trump said 14 missiles were launched, 13 of which were intercepted, and noted that Iran gave early warning of the attack, which likely helped prevent casualties.
Behind the scenes, the ceasefire was reportedly brokered through intense diplomatic efforts. Trump communicated directly with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, while other top officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, engaged with Iranian counterparts through various channels. Qatar also played a key mediating role in the negotiations.
The conflict, which Trump dubbed the “12 Day War,” evokes comparisons to the 1967 Six-Day War and carries symbolic weight in the Middle East. As tensions ease, Qatar has reopened its airspace and resumed flights, suggesting confidence that the immediate threat has passed. Meanwhile, the U.S. has evacuated hundreds of its citizens from Israel, reflecting ongoing caution despite the de-escalation.