Former US President Donald Trump claims Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire after 12 days of intense fighting, which pushed the region to the edge of a full-scale war. Trump, in a social media post, said that both countries have shown “great courage and intelligence” to agree on a “complete and total ceasefire” that he said was brokered with “strong negotiation” efforts.
The ceasefire, according to Trump, would be implemented in two phases. Iran would begin the process first by halting missile attacks, while Israel would respond 12 hours later. He stated that this agreement would officially mark the end of the 12-day war, calling it a “historic breakthrough” and something “the world should celebrate.”
However, there is no official confirmation from either the Israeli or Iranian governments. In fact, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the claim, saying there is no formal ceasefire unless Israel stops its aggression by 4 AM Tehran time. He added that Iran’s missile operations continued through the night and that a final decision will be made after assessing Israel’s actions.
This comes after Iran launched a large-scale missile operation targeting Israeli military bases in response to Israeli airstrikes that hit key locations inside Iran, including a nuclear research facility near Isfahan. The operation, called “Glad Tidings of Victory,” saw over 70 missiles fired towards Israeli territory, with at least three casualties reported in Beersheba. Israeli defense forces responded by targeting sites in western Tehran, prompting Iran to order evacuations in multiple districts, including District 6 and Mehran.
Reports suggest that Qatar played a key role in facilitating indirect negotiations between the two countries, with backing from the US. Trump’s announcement appeared to be an attempt to present himself as a global peace broker ahead of the upcoming US elections.
Meanwhile, confusion continues on the ground. While Trump claims peace has returned, air raid sirens continued to sound across central Israel, and emergency services remain on high alert. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stated that their missile strikes were a “warning,” and any further Israeli aggression would be met with a “stronger response.”
The international community has welcomed the possibility of a ceasefire, though most are waiting for official confirmation from both sides. Oil prices, which had spiked during the conflict, dropped by over 3% following Trump’s statement, indicating a market reaction to hopes of de-escalation. The United Nations has also called for restraint, urging both nations to engage in dialogue and avoid further escalation.
For now, the situation remains fluid. While Trump’s claim has offered a glimmer of hope, the reality on the ground paints a more complex picture. Both Iran and Israel have yet to officially agree to stop the fighting, and tensions remain dangerously high. Observers say the next 24 hours will be crucial in determining whether this conflict truly ends—or enters a more dangerous phase.
