A ceasefire between Israel and Iran, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, June 24, appears to be holding despite initial violations and mutual accusations of bad faith. The 12-day conflict, which saw intense airstrikes and missile exchanges, prompted fears of a broader regional war, but diplomatic efforts led by the U.S. and Qatar have brought a tentative pause to hostilities.
The ceasefire, described by Trump as a “complete and total” truce, was brokered after weeks of escalating violence that began with Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, citing concerns over Tehran’s uranium enrichment program. Iran retaliated with missile attacks, including a strike on the U.S. Al Udeid airbase in Qatar on Monday, though advance warnings ensured no casualties. Hours later, Trump declared the ceasefire, claiming both nations had agreed to a phased 24-hour process, with Iran halting operations first, followed by Israel 12 hours later.
However, the truce faced immediate challenges. Iranian state media initially rejected Trump’s announcement, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating no formal agreement existed. Israel accused Iran of launching missiles into its airspace after the ceasefire’s start, reporting three deaths in Be’er Sheva from an Iranian missile strike. In response, Israel destroyed a radar installation near Tehran, prompting Iran to claim Israel violated the truce with pre-dawn strikes. Trump, visibly frustrated, rebuked both sides, saying they “don’t know what the f*** they’re doing” and demanded compliance.
By Tuesday morning, both nations signaled conditional commitment. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would respect the ceasefire if Israel did, while Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed similar sentiments, stating Israel would honor the truce “as long as the other side does.” No major strikes have been reported since Tuesday afternoon, and life in Tehran and Tel Aviv is slowly returning to normal, though residents remain wary.
The conflict, dubbed the “12-day war,” caused significant damage. Iranian state media reported 16 civilian deaths in Gilan province from Israeli airstrikes, while Israel confirmed seven fatalities from Iranian missiles. Oil prices, which surged during the conflict, dropped over 5% to $67.93 per barrel for Brent crude after the ceasefire took hold. In a surprising move, Trump urged China to resume oil purchases from Iran, a shift from his previous “maximum pressure” policy, raising questions about U.S. strategy in the region.
Qatar played a pivotal role in securing Iran’s agreement, with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani facilitating talks. U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also engaged in direct and indirect negotiations. Trump, speaking before departing for a NATO summit in The Hague, called the ceasefire “unlimited” and expressed hope for lasting peace, though a U.S. intelligence report noted that strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites set back but did not destroy its program.
Posts on X reflect mixed sentiment, with some users skeptical of the ceasefire’s durability, citing ongoing air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and reports of Israeli strikes in Tehran shortly after Trump’s announcement. Others praised the diplomatic breakthrough, though concerns linger about potential flare-ups.
Global leaders, including the EU’s Ursula von der Leyen and Saudi Arabia, welcomed the truce, urging both sides to pursue diplomacy. As the ceasefire holds, the world watches closely, hoping this fragile pause can pave the way for stability in a volatile region.
Sources: NDTV, Reuters, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Times of India, CNN, Posts on X
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