Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire following a 12-day conflict, according to statements released early Tuesday. The announcement came after former President Donald Trump declared on Truth Social that the "Complete and Total CEASEFIRE" he brokered was now in effect.
The Israeli government confirmed the ceasefire, citing the achievement of its military objectives and coordination with President Trump. It also warned that any violation would prompt a forceful response. Around the same time, Iranian state television reported that Iran had begun observing the ceasefire.
According to Trump, the agreement includes a phased halt to hostilities: Iran was to cease attacks by midnight ET on Tuesday, followed by Israel 12 hours later. The war would be officially considered over 12 hours after that. However, there was ambiguity, as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted that Iran had stopped its strikes at 4 a.m. Tehran time, but denied there was a formal ceasefire agreement. He suggested Iran would halt attacks if Israel did the same.
The conflict began on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, killing several senior officials. Iran retaliated with missile attacks, including a strike on the U.S. base at Al Udeid in Qatar. The U.S. responded with airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities, heightening fears of a broader war.
President Trump said the ceasefire was the result of direct talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and back-channel communications with Iran, facilitated by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and envoy Steve Witkoff. Qatar played a key role in mediating, with its emir personally thanked by Trump.
While the fighting appears to have paused, the future remains uncertain. Trump claimed the U.S. “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program with strikes on the Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan sites. However, questions linger about the extent of the damage and whether Iran still retains the ability — and intent — to pursue a nuclear weapon.
The Biden administration has not commented, and the role of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the ceasefire remains unclear. The situation remains fluid, with both regional stability and the fate of Iran’s nuclear ambitions hanging in the balance.