Amid rising tensions after Iran’s retaliatory strikes in Qatar and Iraq, US President Donald Trump surprised the world by declaring a full ceasefire at midnight. The announcement came as Washington and Tehran faced a possible long-term conflict.
Trump stated both Iran and Israel agreed to stop attacks from Wednesday midnight. The Iranian foreign minister also hinted at easing tensions but has not officially confirmed the ceasefire. Meanwhile, the Israeli government has yet to respond to Trump’s declaration.
Experts had expected Washington to respond strongly to Iran’s strikes in Qatar. Many believed this could lead to a prolonged conflict. But Trump’s social media post on Truth Social changed the course. He wrote that Iran and Israel had agreed to the ceasefire. According to him, Iran would stop attacks within 12 hours and Israel within 24 hours.
Trump claimed the war, which could have lasted for years and caused widespread destruction in the Middle East, was now ending in 12 days. He congratulated both parties for this agreement.
However, skepticism grew over the announcement’s impact. For hours after Trump’s post, Iran and Israel remained silent. Doubts surfaced on social media about the ceasefire’s reality.
The Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi further complicated the situation with his own social media posts. He said no formal agreement had been signed by either side yet. But he added that Iran was interested in peace. He stated that Tehran would halt attacks if Israel stopped first. Araghchi set a condition that Israel should stop its attacks before Tuesday dawn to end hostilities.
In a follow-up post at dawn, Araghchi said the deadline had passed. He thanked the armed forces for their firm stance. International media interpreted this as a sign of a possible ceasefire. Israel, however, remained silent.
Then, another surprise came. Just as the ceasefire seemed near, sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities early Wednesday morning. The Israeli Defense Forces reported that Iran had launched another wave of missiles.
Qatar-based Al Jazeera reported that three Israeli civilians were killed in the Beersheba area due to the Iranian attack.
The situation remains tense as the world watches for further developments in this unfolding conflict.
