Washington: A fragile ceasefire has taken hold between Iran and Israel following an intense 12-day conflict, brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump through direct talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and indirect communication with Tehran. The truce, announced early Tuesday, came after a series of military escalations that saw Israel and the United States strike Iranian nuclear sites and Iran retaliate with missile attacks.
According to a senior White House official, Trump made a decisive call to Netanyahu while delegating negotiations with Iran to his team, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Trump’s outreach reportedly followed U.S. airstrikes using 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs on Iranian underground nuclear facilities, marking a rare military intervention by the former president.
The ceasefire was finalized after Iran signaled it would halt further attacks, and Israel agreed under the condition that Iran refrains from launching new strikes. Trump, emphasizing de-escalation, publicly declared a “complete and total” ceasefire would go into effect within hours.
Israel confirmed its acceptance of the ceasefire on Tuesday, stating that its objectives in neutralizing the Iranian nuclear and missile threat had been met. The Israeli government credited the United States for its military and diplomatic role, noting that the ceasefire was reached in full coordination with Trump.
While initial hours of the truce were tense, with both sides accusing each other of violations, Israeli and Iranian officials eventually moved toward restraint. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian described the end of hostilities as a major success and expressed readiness to address broader regional issues, including relations with the United States. Meanwhile, Israeli military leaders acknowledged a significant phase of the conflict had concluded but maintained their stance against Iranian-backed militant groups in Gaza.
Despite isolated reports of continued skirmishes, such as an Israeli strike on a radar installation near Tehran and Iranian claims of violations after the ceasefire start time, both nations began scaling back military readiness. Israel lifted national security restrictions and reopened Ben Gurion Airport, while Iran resumed normal airspace operations.
The conflict, which began with a surprise Israeli assault on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 13, inflicted heavy casualties on both sides. Iran reported over 600 fatalities and thousands injured, while Israeli officials stated that 28 lives were lost due to Iranian missile strikes. The fighting also rattled global markets, but news of the ceasefire led to a drop in oil prices and a surge in investor confidence.
Trump’s effort to mediate the ceasefire, while facing internal pressure from his political base opposed to foreign entanglements, is seen as a strategic move to reinforce his image as a global dealmaker. His warning to both sides to honor the agreement and his sharp remarks aimed at Israeli leadership underscored the complexities of U.S. influence in the Middle East.
As both countries assess the aftermath, questions remain about the durability of the ceasefire. Still, the breakthrough highlights Washington’s continued leverage in the region and the potential for diplomacy—even amid open hostilities.