President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire,” claiming that both nations had approached him “almost simultaneously” seeking peace. This dramatic assertion comes after nearly two weeks of intense military exchanges in the Middle East, which Trump dubbed the “12-day war.”
Trump announced his Truth Social platform, just hours after Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes at the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, following American and Israeli bombardments of Iranian nuclear sites. He credited his administration’s actions, including the recent U.S. “Operation Midnight Hammer” targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, for leading to the supposed truce.
However, Trump’s declaration was met with immediate, contradictory signals from Tehran. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi quickly stated there was “no agreement” on a ceasefire. However, he indicated that Iran would cease its retaliatory actions if Israel stopped its “illegal aggression.” Israeli officials, while not publicly confirming a ceasefire, also hinted at a readiness to de-escalate if Iran reciprocated.
The purported ceasefire outline, as described by Trump, envisioned a phased 24-hour cessation of hostilities, beginning with Iran and followed by Israel. White House officials confirmed that Trump had engaged directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that communications with Iranian officials had occurred through various channels, including Qatari mediation.
The recent escalation saw Israeli airstrikes deep within Iranian territory, followed by U.S. involvement in targeting key nuclear sites like Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Iran responded with missile barrages, including the strike on the U.S. base in Qatar.
While the region holds its breath, the differing accounts regarding the ceasefire agreement underscore the highly complex and fragile nature of the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape. Whether this marks a genuine turning point or merely a temporary pause in a volatile conflict remains to be seen, with international observers urging caution and continued diplomatic efforts.