In a dramatic turn of events, President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, bringing an end to what has become known as the “12-Day War.” The declaration came just hours after the United States launched a powerful aerial assault on key Iranian nuclear facilities, sending shockwaves through the region and drawing strong reactions from global powers.
The U.S. strike targeted Iran’s major nuclear sites, including the heavily fortified underground facility at Fordow, the Natanz enrichment plant, and the Isfahan complex. Utilizing stealth bombers and submarine-launched cruise missiles, the attack was swift and coordinated, aiming to cripple Iran’s ability to enrich uranium and develop nuclear weapons. President Trump declared the operation a success, stating that Iran’s nuclear program had been set back significantly—though U.S. intelligence sources reportedly estimate the delay to be only a matter of months rather than years.
Iran’s response was immediate. The Islamic Republic launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Israeli cities and military installations. Most were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, but a few managed to reach targets in the southern regions, igniting fires and causing damage. As the tit-for-tat escalated, fears of a full-scale regional war loomed.
Against this backdrop of mounting tension, President Trump took the global stage to announce what he called a “total ceasefire.” According to Trump, the deal involved both Iran and Israel agreeing to halt all military operations. The truce reportedly came after intense backchannel diplomacy, with Trump leveraging U.S. influence over Israel and indirect messaging channels with Tehran. The agreement included a staggered cessation of hostilities—first by Iran for twelve hours, then reciprocated by Israel.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry expressed cautious support for the truce but warned that the U.S. had crossed a red line. Tehran’s top diplomats described the bombing of their nuclear sites as “an act of war” and vowed that the consequences would be “everlasting.” Meanwhile, Iranian leadership remains under pressure from hardliners demanding retribution for the attacks.
Israel, for its part, welcomed the ceasefire but made clear that it remained ready to resume military operations if provoked. Prime Minister Netanyahu praised the effectiveness of the U.S.-Israeli partnership and emphasized the necessity of remaining vigilant against Iran’s ambitions.
The international community greeted the ceasefire with guarded optimism. The United Nations called for restraint, while European leaders urged all parties to return to diplomacy. Russia and China, staunch critics of the U.S. airstrikes, condemned what they termed “unilateral aggression,” warning of further instability in the region.
The sudden ceasefire comes as a surprise to many observers, particularly given the scale of destruction in Iran and the intensity of the missile exchange. While hostilities may have halted for now, experts warn that tensions remain dangerously high and that the underlying issues—especially Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Israel’s security concerns—remain unresolved.
With oil markets calming and regional allies breathing a sigh of relief, the world watches anxiously to see if this fragile peace will hold, or if the Middle East will once again be plunged into a cycle of violence. For now, though, the guns have fallen silent—at least temporarily.
NewsGlobal Reporters