Inside Trump’s 48-Hour Push for Israel-Iran Ceasefire/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran in just 48 volatile hours. Trump coordinated pressure on both sides, with key help from Qatar and his envoy Steve Witkoff.
Though initially shaky, the ceasefire was confirmed after personal calls with Netanyahu and diplomatic outreach to Iran.
Inside Trump’s 48-Hour Push for Israel-Iran Ceasefire: Quick Looks
- Ceasefire Orchestration: Trump led 48-hour effort to secure ceasefire with Israel and Iran amid rising tensions.
- Qatar’s Role: Qatar served as a diplomatic intermediary between the U.S. and Iran.
- Trump-Netanyahu Calls: Trump pushed Netanyahu twice to halt military operations and accept a ceasefire.
- Tehran’s Mixed Signals: Iran’s foreign minister hinted at a halt, but Supreme Leader Khamenei’s stance remained unclear.
- Retaliation, Then De-escalation: U.S. strikes were followed by a limited Iranian response, seen as strategic restraint.
- Trump’s Frustration: Trump publicly criticized both nations when attacks continued post-announcement.
- Final Agreement: Israel confirmed the ceasefire after Trump’s direct intervention, halting further escalation.
- Future Diplomacy: Trump’s team now seeks a broader peace agreement through ongoing dialogue.
Inside Trump’s 48-Hour Push for Israel-Iran Ceasefire
Deep Look
In a diplomatic drama that spanned just 48 hours, President Donald Trump steered a volatile path from confrontation to calm, negotiating a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran that briefly hung by a thread. The resolution followed days of conflict and nuclear tensions, culminating in a series of strategic calls, backchannel talks, and direct threats from the U.S. president.
From Retaliation to Negotiation
The chain reaction began with U.S. airstrikes on three of Iran’s key nuclear sites. Almost immediately, Trump reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging a halt to further military action. Simultaneously, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff engaged with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, pressing for a return to diplomacy, using the destruction of nuclear targets as leverage.
Trump’s insistence was clear: stop the war and capitalize on the momentum for peace.
Mixed Messages and Global Jitters
Despite Trump’s declaration of a “Complete and Total CEASEFIRE,” responses from Tehran and Jerusalem were initially cautious. Araghchi neither confirmed nor denied Iran’s commitment, stating Iran would stop responding if Israel halted its attacks by 4 a.m. local time. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei maintained a hardline tone, casting uncertainty over Tehran’s unified stance.
Netanyahu stayed silent for hours, only later confirming Israel’s acceptance of the ceasefire, stating war goals had been met. This ambiguity kept the region on edge even after Trump had publicly declared success.
Qatar’s Crucial Mediation
A pivotal factor in the ceasefire’s viability was the involvement of Qatar. Following Iran’s missile response to the U.S. base in the emirate, Qatar’s leaders held an urgent call with Trump. With most missiles intercepted and minimal damage reported, the incident appeared staged for face-saving rather than escalation. This offered a diplomatic opening which Trump and his aides seized.
Qatar’s prime minister later confirmed that Trump requested outreach to Iranian officials to probe their readiness for peace, and a full ceasefire quickly followed.
Ceasefire Confirmation and Renewed Tensions
As Trump finalized the deal, Vice President JD Vance learned of the agreement live on air, underscoring how fast events were moving. Yet, attacks resumed even after the 4 a.m. threshold, with Israel launching airstrikes into central Tehran and Iran retaliating in northern Gilan province.
Trump was visibly furious. Before boarding Air Force One for the NATO summit, he expressed frustration with both Iran and Israel, especially the latter’s continued strikes. He publicly warned Netanyahu via social media: “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS.”
Trump’s phone call with Netanyahu from Air Force One was reportedly intense and direct. Netanyahu ultimately complied, halting further strikes. Trump then reiterated the ceasefire was active, celebrating it as a personal and strategic victory.
A Glimpse at the Future
Trump is now eyeing a broader peace plan. According to his envoy Witkoff, preliminary discussions are already underway—both through direct contacts and intermediaries. While the ceasefire lacks formal guarantees, its success has opened a window for deeper diplomatic engagement.
Whether Iran and Israel can build on this ceasefire remains uncertain. Yet, for now, Trump has delivered what few expected: a rapid de-escalation of one of the most dangerous flashpoints in recent Middle East history.
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