US President Donald Trump has declared a “complete and total ceasefire” between Israel and Iran, set to take effect within hours, following intense military exchanges that have gripped the Middle East. The announcement, made via social media, marks a dramatic turn in what Trump dubbed “The 12 Day War,” a conflict sparked by US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran’s retaliatory missile attacks on a US airbase in Qatar.
A senior US administration official, speaking to CBS, confirmed that both Israel and Iran have agreed to the truce. The ceasefire was reportedly brokered through direct and indirect channels, involving US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani playing a key role. Trump’s communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly secured Israel’s agreement, contingent on no further attacks from Iran.
However, neither Israel nor Iran has officially confirmed the ceasefire. Iranian state media cautiously labeled Trump’s announcement as a “claim,” while reports of explosions and Israeli evacuation orders in Tehran suggest ongoing tensions. A senior Iranian official, quoted by CNN, dismissed US and Israeli statements as “deception” and warned of intensified retaliatory strikes.
The conflict began on June 12, when Israel, backed by the US, launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—prompting Iran to fire missiles at the US-run Al Udeid airbase in Qatar. Qatar reported no casualties, with all missiles intercepted, and condemned the attack as a “flagrant violation.” Trump described Iran’s response as “very weak” and thanked Tehran for providing “early notice.”
The announcement has already impacted global markets. Brent crude oil prices plummeted 4% to $68 a barrel, lower than before the initial Israeli strikes, reflecting market confidence in de-escalation. Stock markets in Japan, South Korea, and Australia also rose. However, some experts remain skeptical. Robin Brooks of the Brookings Institution noted that Iran’s failure to target critical oil routes, like the Strait of Hormuz, suggests a lack of intent for serious escalation.
Trump’s ceasefire claim has sparked both optimism and controversy. House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the move, echoing Trump’s “peace through strength” mantra. Yet, Democratic lawmakers, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders, have criticized the initial US strikes as unconstitutional, arguing Trump lacked congressional approval. The White House countered with a letter to Congress, defending the strikes as necessary to protect US interests and halt Iran’s nuclear program.
Analysts see the ceasefire as a potential foreign policy win for Trump, who has struggled to deliver on promises to end conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Bernd Debusmann Jr, reporting from the White House, noted that Trump may tout this as proof his unpredictable foreign policy works, though its success hinges on confirmation from Israel and Iran. Mark Lowen, reporting from Tel Aviv, suggested Israel’s desire to avoid a prolonged war and Trump’s softened rhetoric indicate a joint push for de-escalation, leaving Tehran to decide the next move.
As the region awaits official confirmation, Gulf states like Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain have reopened their airspace, and the UK has lifted its “shelter in place” advice for citizens in Qatar. Meanwhile, the Israeli ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, defended Israel’s actions, claiming they targeted only military and nuclear sites, unlike Iran’s attacks on population centers.
With the ceasefire’s fate uncertain and explosions still reported in Iran, the world watches to see if Trump’s bold declaration will hold—or if the “12 Day War” will reignite.
BREAKING NEWS : Trump Hails “12 Day War” Ceasefire Between Israel and Iran, but Doubts Linger
US President Donald Trump has declared a “complete and total ceasefire” between Israel and Iran, set to take effect within hours, following intense military exchanges that have gripped the Middle East. The announcement, made via social media, marks a dramatic turn in what Trump dubbed “The 12 Day War,” a conflict sparked by US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran’s retaliatory missile attacks on a US airbase in Qatar.
A senior US administration official, speaking to CBS, confirmed that both Israel and Iran have agreed to the truce. The ceasefire was reportedly brokered through direct and indirect channels, involving US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani playing a key role. Trump’s communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly secured Israel’s agreement, contingent on no further attacks from Iran.
However, neither Israel nor Iran has officially confirmed the ceasefire. Iranian state media cautiously labeled Trump’s announcement as a “claim,” while reports of explosions and Israeli evacuation orders in Tehran suggest ongoing tensions. A senior Iranian official, quoted by CNN, dismissed US and Israeli statements as “deception” and warned of intensified retaliatory strikes.
The conflict began on June 12, when Israel, backed by the US, launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—prompting Iran to fire missiles at the US-run Al Udeid airbase in Qatar. Qatar reported no casualties, with all missiles intercepted, and condemned the attack as a “flagrant violation.” Trump described Iran’s response as “very weak” and thanked Tehran for providing “early notice.”
The announcement has already impacted global markets. Brent crude oil prices plummeted 4% to $68 a barrel, lower than before the initial Israeli strikes, reflecting market confidence in de-escalation. Stock markets in Japan, South Korea, and Australia also rose. However, some experts remain skeptical. Robin Brooks of the Brookings Institution noted that Iran’s failure to target critical oil routes, like the Strait of Hormuz, suggests a lack of intent for serious escalation.
Trump’s ceasefire claim has sparked both optimism and controversy. House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the move, echoing Trump’s “peace through strength” mantra. Yet, Democratic lawmakers, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders, have criticized the initial US strikes as unconstitutional, arguing Trump lacked congressional approval. The White House countered with a letter to Congress, defending the strikes as necessary to protect US interests and halt Iran’s nuclear program.
Analysts see the ceasefire as a potential foreign policy win for Trump, who has struggled to deliver on promises to end conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Bernd Debusmann Jr, reporting from the White House, noted that Trump may tout this as proof his unpredictable foreign policy works, though its success hinges on confirmation from Israel and Iran. Mark Lowen, reporting from Tel Aviv, suggested Israel’s desire to avoid a prolonged war and Trump’s softened rhetoric indicate a joint push for de-escalation, leaving Tehran to decide the next move.
As the region awaits official confirmation, Gulf states like Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain have reopened their airspace, and the UK has lifted its “shelter in place” advice for citizens in Qatar. Meanwhile, the Israeli ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, defended Israel’s actions, claiming they targeted only military and nuclear sites, unlike Iran’s attacks on population centers.
With the ceasefire’s fate uncertain and explosions still reported in Iran, the world watches to see if Trump’s bold declaration will hold—or if the “12 Day War” will reignite.