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June 24, 2025 – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire, ending 12 days of escalating hostilities that threatened to destabilize the wider Middle East. The conflict, marked by Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and retaliatory attacks by Iran, displaced millions in Tehran and raised fears of a regional war.
Ceasefire Deal Details
An Iranian official confirmed to Reuters that Tehran had accepted the ceasefire. While Israel has not issued a formal statement, a senior White House official said the Israeli government agreed to the deal on the condition that Iran halts further attacks. The ceasefire, reportedly brokered by Trump in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to be implemented in phases once ongoing military operations conclude.
Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, also played a key role in securing Tehran’s agreement, according to officials briefed on the negotiations. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff were involved in both direct and indirect contacts with Iranian officials.
The Conflict and Its Impact
The war began after Israel, joined by the United States, launched airstrikes on Iran’s underground nuclear sites over concerns Tehran was nearing nuclear weapon capability. Iran, which denies having a nuclear weapons program, responded with missile attacks, including one on a U.S. air base that caused no casualties.
According to the U.S., the strikes destroyed key components of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. “Iran is now incapable of building a nuclear weapon with the equipment they have because we destroyed it,” Vice President Vance said on Fox News.
Tehran’s measured military response appeared designed to demonstrate strength while avoiding a full-scale confrontation. Much of Iran’s capital, home to 10 million people, has been evacuated due to sustained bombing. Israel also reportedly targeted facilities linked to Iran’s political structure, including the infamous Evin Prison.
Political and Market Reactions
Trump praised the outcome in a post on Truth Social: “I would like to congratulate both countries, Israel and Iran, on having the stamina, courage, and intelligence to end what should be called ‘THE 12 DAY WAR’.”
Market reaction was swift. S&P 500 futures rose by 0.4%, while U.S. crude oil futures dropped to their lowest level in over a week, reflecting optimism over reduced geopolitical risk in the oil-rich region.
Despite the announcement, tensions remain high. Israeli Army Radio reported air raid sirens in the Golan Heights early Tuesday, and the Israeli military continued to issue evacuation warnings for parts of Tehran overnight.
Strategic Context
Israel, widely believed to possess nuclear weapons though it neither confirms nor denies this, is not a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In contrast, Iran is a party to the treaty but has long been accused by Western nations of violating its terms. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei recently reiterated that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons but warned that, if it chose to, “world leaders wouldn’t be able to stop us.”
While Trump and U.S. officials emphasized the goal was to neutralize Iran’s nuclear capability, his recent statements suggest ambitions went further. On Sunday, he alluded to regime change in Tehran, stating the attacks targeted not just nuclear infrastructure but also the ruling clerical elite’s power base.
Outlook
While a ceasefire appears within reach, the region remains fragile. Both sides now face the challenge of sustaining peace after a rapid escalation that brought them to the brink of war. The international community will closely watch how the agreement unfolds and whether it leads to renewed diplomatic efforts or simply a pause in hostilities.
