Trump Announces “complete and total ceasefire” Between Israel and Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump announced late Monday that Israel and Iran have agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” to bring an end to a 12-day military confrontation that threatened to engulf the broader Middle East. The ceasefire, set to begin approximately six hours after his announcement, is intended to start with Iran pausing military operations first, followed by Israel after 12 hours, and concluding with a formal end to hostilities at the 24-hour mark.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the agreement as a breakthrough and thanked both sides for their willingness to stop the conflict. “Congratulations to everyone! This is a war that could have gone on for years and destroyed the entire Middle East — but it didn’t, and never will,” he wrote. He emphasized that both parties had shown “stamina, courage, and intelligence” in agreeing to halt the fighting, which he referred to as “The 12 Day War.”
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The announcement followed hours of heightened tensions, including Iran’s launch of ballistic missiles targeting the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar — the largest U.S. military facility in the region. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the attack, describing it as “devastating and powerful,” and said it was in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. According to Iran’s top security council, the number of missiles used matched the number of bombs dropped on its nuclear infrastructure by the U.S.
"CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT’S TIME FOR PEACE!" –President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/c5u6uneVBY
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 23, 2025
Despite the scale of the missile strike, no American or Qatari personnel were injured, with most of the 14 missiles either intercepted or redirected. Trump claimed the minimal damage was due to an early warning from Iran, which allowed U.S. and allied forces to take protective measures. He credited Iran for giving advance notice and expressed hope that both sides could now shift toward “peace and harmony.”
Iranian state media dubbed the attack “Operation Basharat al-Fath,” while officials in Tehran reiterated that the missile strike deliberately targeted military installations far from residential areas to avoid civilian casualties. The Iranian Supreme National Security Council said the action posed no threat to Qatar, a “friendly and brotherly nation,” and that Tehran remained committed to maintaining strong bilateral ties.
However, the situation remained complex. While a senior Iranian official confirmed Tehran had agreed to the U.S.-proposed ceasefire, reportedly brokered with Qatar’s help, other Iranian officials publicly denied receiving any formal proposal. One official accused Washington of spreading misinformation, stating Iran would not stop its military campaign until a “just and lasting peace” is achieved.
Complicating the picture, a series of explosions were reported in central Tehran just hours before the ceasefire was expected to begin. The Israeli army had earlier issued an evacuation warning to residents in Tehran’s District 7, suggesting potential strikes. The cause and impact of these explosions remain unclear, but they raised questions about whether both parties would fully comply with the ceasefire timeline.
Despite these uncertainties, the ceasefire announcement marks a major step in efforts to de-escalate the volatile situation. Diplomatic sources say Qatar has played a key mediating role, and Trump has called on all parties to remain peaceful and respectful during the ceasefire window. The White House and the U.S. Department of Defense are continuing to monitor the situation closely, especially regarding the safety of American personnel stationed in Qatar.
As the ceasefire clock begins, global attention will turn to whether the 12-day war truly ends as planned, or if deeper tensions between Israel, Iran, and the U.S. resurface after a temporary pause.
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