A fragile ceasefire has been declared between Israel and Iran following a 12-day war, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump. The announcement, made Tuesday by President Trump on his Truth Social platform, came amidst reports of continued attacks on both sides.
Trump declared, “THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!” His statement followed a day of intense fighting, including a fresh wave of Iranian missile strikes that killed four people in Beersheba, Israel, according to Israeli emergency services. Simultaneously, Iranian authorities reported nine deaths and 33 injuries in a “terrorist attack” in northern Iran, with reports suggesting the involvement of Israel. The Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency named nuclear scientist Mohammadreza Sediqi among the victims.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed Israel’s acceptance of Trump’s ceasefire proposal, stating that Israel had achieved its objectives. However, Netanyahu warned of a forceful response to any violations.
The ceasefire announcement followed a Monday announcement by Trump suggesting a phased implementation, allowing ongoing missions to conclude before a full cessation of hostilities. This followed a significant escalation on Sunday, triggered by U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and subsequent Iranian missile attacks on a U.S. base in Qatar.
Early Tuesday morning, explosions were reported near Tel Aviv and Beersheba, with Israel’s military confirming six waves of Iranian missile launches. Iran’s semi-official SNN news agency reported that Tehran launched its final missiles before the ceasefire took effect.
While a senior White House official confirmed Trump’s mediation of the ceasefire agreement, contingent on Iran refraining from further attacks, an Iranian official, while acknowledging the ceasefire agreement, insisted that hostilities would cease only if Israel halted its attacks. The conflicting statements highlight the precarious nature of the truce. Trump, however, expressed optimism on Truth Social, congratulating both countries on their “Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, ‘THE 12 DAY WAR’.”
