The United States announced a surprise ceasefire between Israel and Iran, bringing an end to the 12-day war. President Donald Trump stated that both countries had agreed to a complete ceasefire, with Iran stopping first, followed by Israel 12 hours later. The US president praised both nations for their patience, bravery, and wisdom in ending the conflict.
Despite the announcement, fighting continued, with Israel launching a massive bombing campaign against Tehran, and Iran retaliating with four waves of missile strikes against southern Israel. The exchanges caused significant damage and disrupted air travel in the region.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Arakchi, announced that his country would stop fighting if Israel ceased its aggression. He also stated that Iran’s military had launched a final wave of attacks before the ceasefire took effect. Israel’s government thanked President Trump for his support in defending their country and eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat.
President Trump reiterated the importance of the ceasefire, warning both sides not to violate the agreement. He wrote on social media, “THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT. SIGNED, DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.”
The sudden ceasefire was reportedly facilitated by President Trump’s phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while US Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Marco Rubio worked behind the scenes with the Iranian government.
In the days leading up to the ceasefire, Iran had launched a missile attack on a US military base in Qatar, but the US claimed to have intercepted all the missiles, preventing any damage or casualties. President Trump thanked Iran for warning the US about the attack and praised the Qatari leader for his efforts to promote peace.
The New York Times reported that Iranian officials had informed the US about the impending attack on the military base, explaining that it was necessary to demonstrate their ability to retaliate against the US for bombing their nuclear development center. However, the warning also left room for negotiations to resolve the situation.
The conflict had significant economic and social implications, affecting not only the Middle East but also the global economy. The Thai government, for example, was concerned about the impact on trade and energy prices. The Thai Prime Minister, Patawandin Chinnawat, announced that the government was taking measures to mitigate the effects of the crisis, including ensuring a stable energy supply and providing assistance to those affected by the conflict.