In a dramatic turn of events, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Iran and Israel have agreed to a comprehensive ceasefire, effectively ending what he termed the “12-Day War.” The announcement followed a series of high-stakes military exchanges that culminated in U.S. airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities.
Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, on Monday evening, Trump declared, “It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE.” The ceasefire is expected to take effect within six hours—by midnight in Washington and 9:30 AM IST—once both sides complete their “in progress, final missions.”
This truce marks the end of a rapidly escalating conflict that saw the U.S. enter the fray with B-2 stealth bombers and precision missile strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow. Despite years of hostility, Trump surprisingly extended gratitude to Iran, writing, “I want to thank Iran,” and praised both nations for having the “Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence” to bring the conflict to an end.
Iran’s final act in the confrontation came in the form of a symbolic missile strike targeting a U.S. base in Qatar. Trump claimed Tehran had notified Washington in advance and that 13 out of the 14 missiles were intercepted without any casualties. “They’ve gotten it all out of their ‘system,’ and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE,” he added.
However, the announcement left many questions unanswered. Trump offered no specifics on who brokered the ceasefire, where negotiations occurred, or whether international stakeholders were involved.
This ceasefire comes after a turbulent two weeks. Israel initiated the military campaign just days before a planned diplomatic engagement between Iranian and American representatives, derailing the talks and prompting U.S. involvement. Trump justified the intervention as a necessary move to neutralize Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which he claimed were effectively destroyed.
The announcement comes at a time of renewed attention to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. A meeting of the United Nations Security Council is scheduled for Tuesday to discuss the future of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the 2015 agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program, which Trump famously withdrew from during his presidency.
The ceasefire’s structure, as described by Trump, involves a staggered halt to hostilities: first, Iran initiates a pause that Israel will honor, followed by a reciprocal ceasefire from Israel after 12 hours. “Upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World,” Trump posted.
The geopolitical consequences of the conflict and its resolution remain uncertain. Iran, isolated and weakened after failing to secure support from traditional allies like Russia and China, has little leverage to continue its resistance. Meanwhile, Trump’s decision to align with Israel without the backing of key U.S. allies will likely remain a subject of global scrutiny.
If the ceasefire holds, it could be seen as a strategic win for Trump—who is expected to campaign on his foreign policy credentials ahead of the 2024 election—and a pause in the long-standing hostility between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
