Trump Declares Ceasefire Between Iran-Israel, Tehran Objects

On June 24, US President Donald Trump announced that Iran and Israel had agreed to a “total ceasefire,” marking what he described as the “official end” of the war in which the United States had intervened by striking Iranian nuclear facilities. The announcement, posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform, claimed the ceasefire would unfold gradually over a 24-hour period starting at midnight Washington time, concluding with “the world welcoming the official end of the 12-day war.”

Trump stated that both Iran and Israel had approached him “almost simultaneously” seeking peace. “I knew it was NOW,” he wrote. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later confirmed the ceasefire, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi swiftly denied having reached an agreement. Araqchi emphasized that no formal ceasefire existed, although he signaled Iran's willingness to de-escalate if Israel halted its attacks.

Despite Trump’s declaration, bombings were reported in northern and central districts of Tehran. Iran reiterated that it does not seek to develop atomic weapons, maintaining its right to pursue a peaceful nuclear program.

Shortly after Trump’s post, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a warning to the United States, threatening severe retaliation if hostilities continued. “We warn the American president that if aggression continues, he will receive a response that he will regret,” said IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpour on state television.

Reuters reported that Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani played a key role in persuading Tehran to consider the US-backed ceasefire proposal. A Qatari official confirmed direct talks with Iranian authorities. A White House official added that Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff facilitated negotiations between both sides.

Trump labeled the conflict the “12-day war,” claiming it “could have lasted years and destroyed the entire Middle East.” He concluded his statement with: “God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and God bless the world.”

However, just hours after Trump’s announcement, Israel accused Iran of violating the ceasefire. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that he had ordered the military to respond forcefully after detecting missile launches from Iran. “In light of Iran’s blatant violation of the ceasefire declared by the President of the United States … I have instructed the IDF to continue high-intensity operations targeting regime assets and terror infrastructure in Tehran,” Katz said, as reported by Reuters.

The Israeli military confirmed it was actively intercepting missiles launched from Iran. However, Iran denied the allegations and instead reported new attacks in recent hours, accusing Israel of reigniting hostilities. Amid rising tensions, Trump accused both Israel and Iran of breaching the ceasefire he had just announced, voicing particular frustration with Tel Aviv after it declared plans for renewed large-scale strikes on Tehran. “Israel, do not drop those bombs. If you do, it’s a serious violation. Bring your pilots home—now!” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Why Did Israel Attack?

The recent conflict escalated sharply following an Israeli military operation that targeted critical infrastructure in Iran. On June 12, the IDF ordered residents in Tehran’s District 18, home to both military and residential buildings, to evacuate. Hours later, at approximately 3:30 a.m. local time, Israeli strikes began, hitting several residential zones in Tehran, according to Iranian state media.

One of the main targets was the Natanz nuclear facility, located about 225km south of the capital. The IDF claimed the site sustained significant damage. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes were aimed at disrupting “the heart” of Iran’s nuclear program. He warned that, if left unchecked, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon “in a very short time.”

Israel has long viewed Iran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat. While Iran insists its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful, civilian use, Israel has argued that Tehran’s capabilities could quickly be weaponized. The strikes were intended to deter further nuclear development and to send a strong message that Israel would not hesitate to act unilaterally if it believed its security was at risk.

On June 22, United States escalated global tensions by launching strikes on Iranian nuclear sites amid Israel’s war with Tehran. Iran condemned the attack as a dangerous provocation and  launched missiles at the United States Al Udeid military base in Qatar. Iran’s National Security Council stated that six missiles were fired, the same number the United States used to hit its nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz.

Before the ceasefire announcement, Trump described Iran’s counterattack as “very weak” but appreciated the advance warning. Qatar confirmed it intercepted the missiles aimed at the base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East.

As airstrikes continued, Iran urged residents in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, to evacuate. In turn, Israel struck command centers belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The war has so far left more than 400 dead and 3,000 wounded in Iran, mostly civilians, according to official figures. Iranian attacks on Israel have reportedly killed 24 people.