June 24, 2025 – A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, took effect early Tuesday morning, halting a 12-day conflict that has claimed lives and heightened fears of a broader Middle East war. However, conflicting statements from both nations and ongoing military activity cast uncertainty over the durability of the truce.
The announcement came late Monday evening when President Trump posted on Truth Social, claiming that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” following intense diplomatic efforts. According to a senior White House official, Trump, alongside Vice President JD Vance and Qatari mediators, facilitated talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian officials. The ceasefire, described as phased, required Iran to halt attacks first, followed by Israel 12 hours later, addressing Israeli concerns about Iran’s compliance.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, however, denied a formal agreement, stating on social media, “As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations.” He added that Iran would stop its attacks if Israel ceased its strikes by 4 a.m. Tehran time, a deadline that coincided with Iran’s reported final missile barrage. Iranian state media claimed the ceasefire was “imposed on the enemy” after a “successful” response to “U.S. aggression,” following Iran’s missile attack on a U.S. base in Qatar.
Israel has not officially confirmed the ceasefire. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported six waves of Iranian missile attacks overnight, with four people killed in Beersheba, marking the first reported deaths in Israel since the ceasefire announcement. The IDF issued a statement clarifying that no changes to public safety guidelines were in place, urging citizens to remain vigilant.
The conflict, dubbed the “12-day war” by Trump, escalated after U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and Israeli attacks on Iranian military targets. Iran’s retaliatory strike on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which caused no American casualties, was described by defense experts as a calculated move to avoid deeper conflict.
Global markets reacted positively, with S&P 500 futures rising 0.4% and oil prices dropping 3.7% to $65.96 per barrel, reflecting eased concerns over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the ceasefire “historic,” while G7 leaders, who recently urged de-escalation without explicitly calling for a truce, welcomed the development.
Yet, doubts persist. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, breaking his silence, posted on X, “Those who know the Iranian people and their history know that the Iranian nation isn’t a nation that surrenders,” signaling defiance. In Tehran, residents described a “terrifying” night of Israeli strikes, with plumes of smoke rising over the capital. Analysts, including Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group, noted that both sides may claim victory, but the lack of a formal agreement and continued strikes raise questions about the ceasefire’s longevity.
As the region holds its breath, the world watches to see if this tentative pause can evolve into lasting peace or if underlying tensions will reignite hostilities. For now, the ceasefire stands, but its permanence remains uncertain.
