Iran Trump announces ceasefire - further attacks for the time being
There are signs of a cessation of fighting in the war between Israel and Iran.
24.06.2025, 05:57
SDA
US President Donald Trump surprisingly announced a ceasefire between the arch-enemies last night. It should begin this morning. Iran continued to fire rockets at Israel into the early hours of the morning, but had previously indirectly confirmed its agreement to a ceasefire. First, Iran will cease fire for twelve hours, then Israel for twelve hours. After that, the war would be considered over, Trump explained. That would be Wednesday morning (CEST).
Trump's announcement on his Truth Social platform came a few hours after Iran fired missiles at a US airbase in Qatar in retaliation for the US bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities. No one was injured. Iran's missiles were shot down by air defenses. According to Trump, the Iranians had also warned the US before the attack - so it seemed to be more of a symbolic act of retaliation from the outset. Further strikes against US bases are unlikely to be expected.
Iran indirectly confirms ceasefire
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on the night of X that his country would cease counter-attacks if Israel stopped its "illegal aggression" by 0400 Tehran time (0230 CEST) at the latest. He then added that the Iranian military operations had continued "until the last minute, at 4 a.m.". It was unclear why the powerful Revolutionary Guards fired volleys of missiles at Israel in the morning after all. According to local reports, at least three people were killed and several others injured in an impact in Beersheba.
Meanwhile, Iran's state radio confirmed the ceasefire. It had been "imposed" on the enemy, according to the live program on state television. There was initially no confirmation of the ceasefire from Israel. During the night, the Israeli military had called on residents in the center of the capital and metropolis of millions to flee in an area of several blocks. The army warned in Persian on Platform X of imminent air strikes and published corresponding maps. In view of the almost complete internet blackout and the time of day, the call is likely to have reached only a few people.
Explosions were reported from Iran's capital Tehran during the night. Shortly before the evacuation calls, Trump announced at around 6 p.m. local time in Washington (midnight CEST) that a "complete and absolute" ceasefire between Israel and Iran would come into force in a staggered manner in around six hours. Iran would first observe a ceasefire for twelve hours, followed by Israel for twelve hours. This should put an end to the war that has been going on for twelve days, he wrote.
Trump speaks of the end of the "Twelve Day War"
According to consistent US media reports, the ceasefire agreement also came about thanks to the mediation of the Emirate of Qatar. Qatar maintains good relations with both Iran and the USA. Assuming that the process will work out as planned, he already wanted to congratulate Israel and Iran for having the courage and wisdom to end the war. This will be known in future as the "Twelfth Day War", he wrote.
"This is a war that could have gone on for years and could have destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn't - and it won't", Trump continued on Truth Social. The term "Twelve-Day War" proposed by Trump seems to be based on the 1967 "Six-Day War" between Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Syria.
Ceasefire would be a success for Trump
If the ceasefire works as described by Trump, this would also be a clear success for the US president. Trump wanted to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He initially relied on negotiations with Tehran. In the event of failure, he repeatedly threatened to attack Iran - but it was clear that Trump did not actually want war. The Republican did not want to embroil the USA in another conflict in the Middle East and preferred to focus on his domestic political and economic agenda.
He now seems to have succeeded - albeit probably at Israel's mercy: While the US was still focusing on negotiations with Tehran, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to attack Iran. The USA initially did not take part in the war, but then intervened at the weekend on Trump's orders with targeted attacks against three nuclear facilities, including two underground targets in Natan and Fordo. According to Trump, the facilities, which are important for Iran's nuclear program, were completely destroyed. According to experts, the exact extent of the damage cannot yet be verified.
Israel's attacks on the Iranian nuclear program
Israel began the war against its arch-enemy Iran a good ten days ago and has been carrying out massive air strikes against targets throughout the country ever since. Israel's declared aim was to stop Tehran's nuclear programme and neutralize the threat posed by Iran's weapons programmes. Tehran has always stressed that its nuclear program only serves civilian purposes, not the development of nuclear weapons.
Retaining power for the Iranian leadership
The Islamic Republic, massively weakened by Israel's attacks, probably did not want the conflict to escalate any further. According to experts, a major war could have threatened the continuation of the Iranian leadership around Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself. Israel seems to consider its war aims with regard to the nuclear program to be fulfilled - and the leadership in Tehran can hold on to power with the ceasefire.
