President Trump announces "complete and total" ceasefire between Israel and Iran after 12-day exchange of attacks

 

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire, which he said will end the 12-day exchange of attacks between the two countries

 

Trump made the announcement late on Monday, June 23, just hours after Iran fired missiles at a US base in Qatar in retaliation for Sunday’s American attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.

 

“Congratulations to everyone! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a complete and total ceasefire (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ended!  

 

“Officially, Iran will start the ceasefire and, upon the 12th hour, Israel will start the ceasefire and, upon the 24th hour, an official end to the 12-day war will be saluted by the world. During each ceasefire, the other side will remain peaceful and respectful.” 

 

 

Following President Trump’s announcement, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, responded on his official X account in the early hours of Tuesday. In an initial post, he refuted the existence of a formal agreement, stating:

 

“As Iran has repeatedly made clear, Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around. As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 a.m. Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards. The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.” 

 

Minutes later, he issued a follow-up confirming the halt of hostilities:

 

“The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4 a.m. Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute.”