Israel-Iran ceasefire takes effect after 12-day conflict; Trump urges both sides to honour truce

After nearly two weeks of escalating hostilities, a ceasefire between Israel and Iran appears to have taken effect following a series of conflicting statements, missile attacks, and last-minute diplomacy. US President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform early Tuesday to declare a “complete and total ceasefire” between the two nations, urging both sides not to violate the fragile truce.

The announcement came in the wake of intense missile strikes by Iran, which reportedly carried out four waves of attacks targeting Israeli-held areas. According to Israeli officials, at least four people were killed and six others injured in these assaults, even after Trump’s ceasefire declaration.

Tehran initially denied the existence of any ceasefire agreement but later confirmed a halt in its military operations. Iranian state media attributed the ceasefire to the completion of its “punitive operations” against Israel, which, it claimed, ended at 4 am local time. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also issued a statement praising the armed forces and indicating a pause in aggression—on the condition that Israel ceases what Iran described as “illegal aggression”.

“Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around,” Araghchi had asserted earlier. “There is no agreement as of now, but if the Israeli regime halts its attacks by 4 am Tehran time, we will stop too.”

Despite signs of de-escalation, Iran reportedly launched missiles at US military bases in Qatar and Iraq soon after Trump’s post. While calling the attacks “expected” and “very weak,” Trump claimed 13 out of 14 missiles were intercepted, and one was allowed to pass after being assessed as non-lethal.

According to Reuters, the breakthrough ceasefire was mediated by Qatar with US backing. The last-minute deal reportedly materialised after both Israel and Iran threatened further escalations.

Trump praised both nations for showing “courage and intelligence” in halting the war. He noted that the 12-day conflict could have spiralled into a much larger regional war. “This is a war that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East — but it didn’t, and never will!” Trump stated in his post.

He concluded with his signature flourish: “God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!”

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei posted a defiant message online, warning against future interference. “We will not submit to anyone's harassment. This is the logic of the Iranian nation,” he wrote, alongside an image of a burning American flag.

As the ceasefire takes hold, the international community remains cautiously optimistic, with many watching closely to see if both sides will honour the terms of the fragile truce in the days ahead.