A complete ceasefire between Israel and Iran has come into effect, announced by US President Donald Trump early Tuesday. The truce follows nearly two weeks of airstrikes, retaliation, and rising fears of a wider Middle East war.
"It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE," Trump declared on Truth Social, outlining a phased 24-hour timeline. "Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World."
But the status of a possible ceasefire remained unclear as attacks continued Tuesday. According to AP reports, Israel’s military has warned its public that Iran launched missiles towards it, even as a proposed ceasefire hung in the air. The launch came after 4 a.m. local time Tehran, the time Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would halt fire if Isarel ended airstrikes.
Read more on the Israel-Iran ceasefire here
Qatar's role: From target to mediator
What changed the tide was not just American pressure, but diplomacy from an unlikely source: Qatar. After Iran launched missiles at the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar—retaliating for an American strike on Iranian nuclear sites—Doha found itself pulled directly into the heart of the crisis.
According to a diplomatic source quoted by Fox News, "President Trump spoke with Qatar’s Emir and informed him the US got Israel to agree to a ceasefire with Iran. The President asked Qatar to help persuade Iran to do the same, following that Vice President Vance coordinated with Qatar’s Prime Minister on the details."
The source added, "This effort proved successful and, following discussions with the Qatari PM, the Iranians agreed. The deal was coordinated at the highest level by the President and Vice President and the Qatari Emir and Prime Minister directly."
Also Read: Israeli military says new wave of missiles launched from Iran hours after Trump claims ceasefire
Israel-Iran Ceasefire: Who blinked first? Signs point both ways
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denied that Tehran had backed down. "Those who know the Iranian people and their history know that the Iranian nation isn’t a nation that surrenders," he said.
But Israeli officials, speaking anonymously to US media, signalled they had already conveyed their intent to wind down operations prior to the ceasefire deal. According to one, the plan was to stop provided Iran did the same.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi added ambiguity. He first said, "As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations." Minutes later, he posted, "Provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards."
Also Read: 'No agreement on ceasefire yet', says Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as Trump makes big claim
Trump takes victory lap
Donald Trump used the ceasefire to promote what he called a turning point. "Israel & Iran came to me, almost simultaneously, and said, 'PEACE!' I knew the time was NOW," he posted. "The future for Israel & Iran is UNLIMITED, & filled with great PROMISE. GOD BLESS YOU BOTH!"
He added: "This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will!"
Israel did not immediately acknowledge any ceasefire, but there were no reports of Israeli strikes in Iran after 4 a.m. local. Heavy Israeli strikes continued in Tehran and other cities until shortly before that time. Israel in other conflicts has stepped up its strikes just before ceasefires took effect.
“As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in a post on X. “However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards.”
His message was posted at 4:16 a.m. Tehran time. Araghchi added: “The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.”
The Israeli military declined to comment on Trump’s statement and the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Also Read: Qatar reopens airspace after Iranian missile attack on US base, flights resume amid ceasefire talks
Final missiles before the silence
The ceasefire did not come quietly. Just hours before it began, Israel and Iran traded missile and drone strikes. Israel targeted "regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran," while Iran responded with a barrage toward Israeli cities.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had earlier posted, "We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer."
US officials confirmed that Iran warned them in advance of its retaliatory strike on the Al Udeid base, allowing US forces to intercept 13 out of 14 missiles. One was "set free" because it posed no threat, Trump said.
Qatar, despite being attacked, prioritised diplomacy. "Despite having been attacked just hours earlier, the Qataris set aside their grievances and prioritised regional security to get the deal done," said a diplomat.
Also Read: Qatar mediates as Trump declares end to 12-day Israel-Iran war with phased ceasefire, vows it will last 'forever'
Israel-Iran War: A brief but brutal war
The conflict began on June 13, when Israel launched airstrikes deep into Iran, targeting suspected nuclear facilities. According to human rights groups cited by AP, at least 950 people were killed and over 3,450 injured in Israeli strikes.
The US joined the campaign days later with Operation Midnight Hammer, deploying over 125 military aircraft, 14 bunker-buster bombs, and dozens of Tomahawk missiles against three nuclear sites. Iran’s response was to mirror the number of munitions used.
Neither Tel Aviv nor Tehran has officially signed a document. The ceasefire is a political arrangement, brokered under immense pressure, not a treaty. Iran has signalled readiness to pause, not surrender.
"The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute," Araghchi posted. "Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood."
Meanwhile, Israel maintains it does not seek regime change in Tehran. But hours before the ceasefire, Trump posted: "If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???"
That question, and many others, will linger long after the last missile has fallen.
"It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE," Trump declared on Truth Social, outlining a phased 24-hour timeline. "Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World."
But the status of a possible ceasefire remained unclear as attacks continued Tuesday. According to AP reports, Israel’s military has warned its public that Iran launched missiles towards it, even as a proposed ceasefire hung in the air. The launch came after 4 a.m. local time Tehran, the time Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would halt fire if Isarel ended airstrikes.
Read more on the Israel-Iran ceasefire here
Qatar's role: From target to mediator
What changed the tide was not just American pressure, but diplomacy from an unlikely source: Qatar. After Iran launched missiles at the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar—retaliating for an American strike on Iranian nuclear sites—Doha found itself pulled directly into the heart of the crisis.
According to a diplomatic source quoted by Fox News, "President Trump spoke with Qatar’s Emir and informed him the US got Israel to agree to a ceasefire with Iran. The President asked Qatar to help persuade Iran to do the same, following that Vice President Vance coordinated with Qatar’s Prime Minister on the details."
The source added, "This effort proved successful and, following discussions with the Qatari PM, the Iranians agreed. The deal was coordinated at the highest level by the President and Vice President and the Qatari Emir and Prime Minister directly."
Also Read: Israeli military says new wave of missiles launched from Iran hours after Trump claims ceasefire
Israel-Iran Ceasefire: Who blinked first? Signs point both ways
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denied that Tehran had backed down. "Those who know the Iranian people and their history know that the Iranian nation isn’t a nation that surrenders," he said.
But Israeli officials, speaking anonymously to US media, signalled they had already conveyed their intent to wind down operations prior to the ceasefire deal. According to one, the plan was to stop provided Iran did the same.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi added ambiguity. He first said, "As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations." Minutes later, he posted, "Provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards."
Also Read: 'No agreement on ceasefire yet', says Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as Trump makes big claim
Trump takes victory lap
Donald Trump used the ceasefire to promote what he called a turning point. "Israel & Iran came to me, almost simultaneously, and said, 'PEACE!' I knew the time was NOW," he posted. "The future for Israel & Iran is UNLIMITED, & filled with great PROMISE. GOD BLESS YOU BOTH!"
He added: "This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will!"
Israel did not immediately acknowledge any ceasefire, but there were no reports of Israeli strikes in Iran after 4 a.m. local. Heavy Israeli strikes continued in Tehran and other cities until shortly before that time. Israel in other conflicts has stepped up its strikes just before ceasefires took effect.
“As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in a post on X. “However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards.”
His message was posted at 4:16 a.m. Tehran time. Araghchi added: “The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.”
The Israeli military declined to comment on Trump’s statement and the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Also Read: Qatar reopens airspace after Iranian missile attack on US base, flights resume amid ceasefire talks
Final missiles before the silence
The ceasefire did not come quietly. Just hours before it began, Israel and Iran traded missile and drone strikes. Israel targeted "regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran," while Iran responded with a barrage toward Israeli cities.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had earlier posted, "We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer."
US officials confirmed that Iran warned them in advance of its retaliatory strike on the Al Udeid base, allowing US forces to intercept 13 out of 14 missiles. One was "set free" because it posed no threat, Trump said.
Qatar, despite being attacked, prioritised diplomacy. "Despite having been attacked just hours earlier, the Qataris set aside their grievances and prioritised regional security to get the deal done," said a diplomat.
Also Read: Qatar mediates as Trump declares end to 12-day Israel-Iran war with phased ceasefire, vows it will last 'forever'
Israel-Iran War: A brief but brutal war
The conflict began on June 13, when Israel launched airstrikes deep into Iran, targeting suspected nuclear facilities. According to human rights groups cited by AP, at least 950 people were killed and over 3,450 injured in Israeli strikes.
The US joined the campaign days later with Operation Midnight Hammer, deploying over 125 military aircraft, 14 bunker-buster bombs, and dozens of Tomahawk missiles against three nuclear sites. Iran’s response was to mirror the number of munitions used.
Neither Tel Aviv nor Tehran has officially signed a document. The ceasefire is a political arrangement, brokered under immense pressure, not a treaty. Iran has signalled readiness to pause, not surrender.
"The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute," Araghchi posted. "Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood."
Meanwhile, Israel maintains it does not seek regime change in Tehran. But hours before the ceasefire, Trump posted: "If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???"
That question, and many others, will linger long after the last missile has fallen.
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