Trump Announces Ceasefire Between Israel and Iran \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Trump announced Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire set to begin within 24 hours. Trump credited Iran for giving the U.S. early warning of its missile strike on Qatar’s Al Udeid base. The ceasefire follows a U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear sites and rising global concerns about escalation.
Quick Looks
- Trump announces ceasefire between Israel and Iran to start within 24 hours.
- Trump calls it the “Official END” to what he named the “12-Day War.”
- Iran’s missile strike on U.S. base in Qatar caused no casualties, says Trump.
- 13 of 14 missiles intercepted, 1 deemed nonthreatening.
- Trump thanks Iran for early warning, urges peace and regional harmony.
- Leon Panetta says Iran’s response restrained, possibly signaling damage or disinterest in escalation.
- Markets stabilize, oil prices return to pre-conflict levels.
- Iranian parliament backs Strait of Hormuz closure, pending final approval.
- Trump questions Iran’s government stability, hints at “Regime Change” on social media.
- White House clarifies: U.S. military posture remains unchanged.
Deep Look
In a dramatic turn of events, President Donald Trump announced Monday that Israel and Iran have agreed to a phased ceasefire, signaling a potential end to nearly two weeks of conflict that many feared could erupt into a wider regional war. The announcement, made via Trump’s Truth Social platform, came less than 48 hours after the United States launched a high-stakes airstrike on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
The ceasefire, described by Trump as a “complete and total ceasefire,” is expected to be implemented gradually over a 24-hour period. “On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will,” Trump posted, “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.’”
Acknowledging Iran’s Missile Retaliation
Trump also addressed Iran’s retaliatory missile strike on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, home to over 8,000 U.S. troops and the headquarters of U.S. Central Command operations in the Middle East. Iran launched 14 ballistic missiles in response to the U.S. bombing of its nuclear facilities over the weekend, but 13 were intercepted, and the remaining one posed no threat, according to Trump.
“I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured,” the president said. “Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same.”
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar had issued a shelter-in-place alert hours before the missiles launched. Qatar subsequently shut down its airspace as a precaution. Despite the tensions, oil prices rebounded to pre-conflict levels by Monday afternoon, suggesting a collective exhale by the global economy.
Strategic Restraint or Limited Capability?
Former Defense Secretary and CIA Director Leon Panetta suggested Iran’s relatively modest response may be a sign of strategic restraint or reduced capability. “Their ability to respond has probably been damaged pretty badly,” Panetta said, hinting at the effectiveness of U.S. strikes on Iranian infrastructure. He also noted that Tehran may be signaling it has no interest in escalating the war with Israel or the U.S.
Iran’s strike on Al Udeid marked its first direct attack on American forces during this round of hostilities. The missile launch came amid heightened global concern over the conflict’s direction, particularly after the U.S. employed massive 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs in its airstrike campaign.
Strait of Hormuz and Global Oil Concerns
Adding to the uncertainty, Iran’s parliament approved a motion to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes. The final decision now rests with Iran’s national security council. While experts doubt Tehran will follow through—due to likely economic retaliation and potential backlash from oil-importing nations like China—the move has drawn international scrutiny.
Trump urged allied oil-producing countries to increase production, posting, “KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN.” Markets responded with cautious optimism, and by late Monday, prices had stabilized.
Trump’s Message and Regime Change Rhetoric
While Trump’s ceasefire declaration marked a shift toward de-escalation, his online commentary also stirred fresh tensions. On Truth Social, he floated the idea of regime change in Iran: “If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???” He punctuated the post with “MIGA!!!”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later downplayed the remark, saying Trump was merely “raising a question” that reflects broader global concerns. “The president’s military posture has not changed,” Leavitt said.
Nonetheless, the statement clashed with earlier administration efforts to encourage Iran’s return to nuclear talks and drew strong rebuke from Tehran.
The Ceasefire’s Uncertain Path
While the ceasefire announcement is a promising development, its successful implementation remains uncertain. Previous diplomatic efforts in the region have collapsed under pressure from hardliners on both sides, and there is no formal verification mechanism in place yet for either party.
However, the sheer pace of recent developments—from high-impact airstrikes to carefully measured retaliations—suggests both Iran and Israel are seeking an off-ramp from further escalation. Trump’s dramatic entry into the fray with the U.S. strikes may have paradoxically created the diplomatic opening necessary for talks to gain traction.
As of now, Israel has not publicly confirmed the ceasefire agreement, and Iran has yet to issue a detailed statement outlining its terms. Still, both sides appear to have paused major operations, at least temporarily.
For the moment, a 12-day war that threatened to drag the region into deeper chaos seems to be drawing to a tentative, negotiated end—with the world watching closely for what happens next.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.