Washington (TDI): In a dramatic development, US President Donald Trump declared on Monday that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire, potentially bringing an end to nearly two weeks of warfare that forced millions to flee Tehran and pushed the region to the brink of wider conflict.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed credit for brokering the deal and commended both nations for having the “stamina, courage, and intelligence” to halt the fighting. The announcement, however, has yet to be confirmed by either government.
Tensions remained high into early Tuesday, as Israel’s military reported fresh missile launches from Iranian territory. “Our defensive systems are engaged to neutralize the threat,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.
Iran’s stance, meanwhile, was cautiously optimistic. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi indicated that Tehran would stop its retaliatory strikes if Israel ceased its operations by 4 a.m. Tehran time. “The final decision on suspending military action rests with our leadership,” Araqchi wrote on social media.
Read More: OIC Urges Israel to Halt Aggression Against Iran
Though fighting has slowed, it hasn’t fully stopped. Israeli media reported evacuation warnings issued in parts of Tehran, and sirens were heard in Israel’s Golan Heights amid concerns about hostile aircraft.
Behind the scenes, a complex web of diplomacy unfolded. Trump reportedly spoke directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The talks involved Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who helped secure Tehran’s conditional agreement, according to media reports.
The conflict escalated dramatically over the weekend when US bombers struck Iranian nuclear sites with massive bunker-busting munitions. The White House described the mission as narrowly targeted at Iran’s nuclear capabilities, not a broader war.
Iran’s counterstrike, 14 missiles aimed at a US airbase that caused no injuries, appeared to be a calibrated move. Trump described it as “a very weak response,” adding that Tehran gave advance notice of the strike.
Read More: Ceasefire Hopes Fade as Iran, Israel Clash Again
US officials maintain that the objective was solely to cripple Iran’s nuclear progress. “They’re no longer in a position to build a nuclear weapon,” Vice President Vance told Fox News. Still, American intelligence agencies have continued to assess that Iran was not actively pursuing a bomb before the strikes.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
