U.S. President Donald Trump announced late Monday that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire, signaling a potential end to nearly two weeks of heightened conflict between the two regional adversaries. The announcement comes amid mounting international concern over the escalating air assaults and retaliatory missile strikes since June 12.
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In a statement on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump revealed that the agreement involves two sequential 12-hour ceasefire windows, beginning with Iran at 12:00 a.m. EDT, after both nations complete their “final missions.” The second phase would involve a similar 12-hour ceasefire from Israel, with the war to be officially declared over after a full 24-hour pause.
“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, ‘THE 12 DAY WAR,’” Trump wrote.
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Despite Trump’s optimistic tone, there has been no official confirmation from either Tehran or Tel Aviv regarding a formal agreement. Hours before the ceasefire was to take effect, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied the existence of any signed truce but hinted that Iran would halt further strikes if Israel ceased attacks by 4:00 a.m. Tehran time (8:30 p.m. EDT).
“We have no intention to continue our response afterwards,” Araghchi stated on social media, adding that a final decision on the cessation of hostilities would be taken later. He thanked Iran’s armed forces for defending the country “until the very last minute.”
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Final Strikes and Continued Hostilities
In the final hours before the expected ceasefire, Israel reported a fresh missile barrage from Iran, resulting in at least three civilian deaths. These strikes underline the fragility of the proposed truce and the unpredictable nature of the ongoing conflict.
Earlier on Monday, Iran targeted the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military installation in the region. The attack was intercepted with assistance from Qatari defense systems and U.S. forces. President Trump called Iran’s attempt a “failed retaliation” and described the overall Iranian response as “very weak.”
