Trump Announces Ceasefire to End "12-Day War" Between Israel and Iran
In a surprising declaration, former US President Donald Trump announced a complete and total ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, signaling an imminent end to what he dubbed the "12-day War." According to Trump, the ceasefire will be implemented in stages, with Iran halting its operations first, followed by Israel, ultimately concluding the conflict.
Details of the Ceasefire Plan
Trump shared the development on his social platform, stating that the ceasefire would begin within six hours after the involved parties complete their ongoing final missions. He outlined a phased approach:
- First, Iran will initiate a 12-hour ceasefire.
- Following this period, Israel will join in, extending the ceasefire by another 12 hours.
- At the end of this 24-hour period, the war will officially be declared over.
Trump praised both nations for their resolve, emphasizing that the conflict could have dragged on for years and caused widespread devastation across the Middle East but was now coming to a close thanks to their "stamina, courage, and intelligence."
Conflicting Reports and Ongoing Hostilities
Despite Trump's announcement, neither Israel nor Iran has officially confirmed the ceasefire or commented on the agreement. The conflict erupted on June 13, when Israel launched a significant airstrike targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites, a campaign dubbed "Operation Rising Lion."
In retaliation, Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a coordinated drone and missile offensive, known as "Operation True Promise 3," focusing on disrupting Israeli fuel production for fighter jets and other energy infrastructures.
The situation intensified after the United States carried out precision strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities early Sunday morning under the codename "Operation Midnight Hammer." Iran responded by targeting U.S. military bases in Qatar and Iraq, including the prominent Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest in the region.
The Road Ahead
The volatile tension between Israel and Iran has escalated rapidly in recent weeks, threatening to destabilize the wider Middle East. While Trump's announcement offers a glimmer of hope, the lack of confirmation from involved parties raises questions about the ceasefire's viability.
As the world watches closely, a peaceful resolution remains uncertain, hinging on the cooperation of both Israel and Iran amid complex geopolitical dynamics.
