Washington, D.C.: U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday evening that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” to end what he termed the “12 Day War,” a conflict that has seen escalating missile and airstrike exchanges between the two nations. However, the announcement was quickly clouded by reports of continued Iranian missile strikes on Israel, casting doubt on the ceasefire’s immediate implementation.
As of 9:16 a.m. IST on June 24, 2025, the ceasefire’s success remains in question. Continued missile strikes and the lack of official confirmation from Israel and Iran suggest that diplomatic efforts face significant hurdles. The international community, including Hong Kong’s leader John Lee, has called for resolving conflicts through diplomacy, highlighting global concerns over the Middle East’s stability.
The coming hours will be critical in determining whether Trump’s announced ceasefire can halt the violence or if the region will see further escalation.
Trump’s Ceasefire Claim
In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared, “It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE,” outlining a phased approach where Iran would halt attacks first, followed by Israel 12 hours later, with the war officially ending after 24 hours. He expressed optimism, stating, “I think the ceasefire is unlimited. It’s going to go forever,” and described it as “a great day for America” and the Middle East. Trump credited U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22 as a catalyst for the agreement, claiming they made the deal possible by weakening Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
The announcement followed intense diplomatic efforts, with Trump reportedly engaging directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who helped mediate with Iranian officials. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff also played roles in negotiations, according to a senior White House official. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was instrumental in securing Tehran’s agreement, sources said.
Iran’s Response and Continued Strikes
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi contradicted Trump’s claims, stating on X, “As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations.” However, he added a caveat: if Israel ceased its “illegal aggression” by 4 a.m. Tehran time (8:30 p.m. EDT Monday), Iran would not continue its response. Araghchi noted that Iran’s military operations continued “until the very last minute” of the deadline.
Despite the proposed ceasefire timeline, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported multiple waves of Iranian missile launches toward Israel early Tuesday morning, with sirens sounding across the country, including in Tel Aviv and Beersheba. At least two people were killed in Beersheba when a residential building was hit, and explosions were reported in central Israel. The IDF stated its air force was actively intercepting the threats.
Iranian state television later announced a ceasefire early Tuesday, aligning with Trump’s timeline, but the Israeli military noted continued Iranian missile activity, suggesting the agreement had not fully taken effect.
Israel’s Position
Israel has not publicly confirmed agreeing to the ceasefire. The IDF issued evacuation warnings for parts of Tehran, including an industrial area, signaling planned strikes on Iranian military infrastructure even after Trump’s announcement. Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu had indicated Israel was “very close to completing” its objectives, which include dismantling Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. An Israeli official told The Times of Israel that Israel would end its campaign if Iran agreed to halt its attacks and dismantle its nuclear program, but warned of escalation if Iran continued firing.
Background of the Conflict
The conflict, which began on June 12, 2025, intensified after Israel launched preemptive strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, citing intelligence that Iran was nearing nuclear weapon capability—a claim Iran denies. The U.S. joined the fray on June 22, bombing three Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordo and Natanz, prompting Iran to retaliate with a missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, where U.S. troops are stationed. Qatar reported no casualties, with most of the 19 missiles intercepted, and Trump called the attack “very weak,” noting Iran provided advance warning.
The war has caused significant casualties, with Iran’s Health Ministry reporting at least 400 deaths and 3,000 injuries, while Iran’s strikes have killed at least 24 in Israel. Tehran’s population has seen mass evacuations, with millions fleeing the capital amid Israeli airstrikes targeting military sites and infrastructure, including the notorious Evin prison.
Diplomatic and Regional Implications
The ceasefire’s status remains uncertain as both sides continue military actions. Analysts, such as Omar Rahman speaking to Al Jazeera, caution that a major Israeli strike, potentially targeting Iranian leadership, could derail the deal. Qatar’s mediating role has been pivotal, building on its history of brokering regional agreements, including past Israel-Hamas talks.
Vice President Vance framed the ceasefire as an “important reset moment” for the region, emphasizing U.S. objectives to prevent Iran from rebuilding its nuclear capabilities. However, Iran’s foreign minister and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have signaled defiance, with Khamenei stating Iran “would not surrender.”
