Trump announces ceasefire as Iran-Israel war rages into 12th Day

US President Donald Trump has declared that a ceasefire between Iran and Israel has come into effect, urging both countries to respect the truce following nearly two weeks of intense warfare.

In a post shared via his Truth Social platform, Trump confirmed, “THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!”

According to Trump, the truce would be phased, with Iran halting all military operations first at 4:00 am GMT on Tuesday, while Israel was expected to follow 12 hours later. However, the ceasefire announcement came even as both sides exchanged fresh missile strikes overnight.

Israeli authorities confirmed that four people were killed in an Iranian missile attack shortly before the ceasefire deadline. Earlier, Iranian officials insisted no formal agreement had been reached but indicated that if Israel ceased its offensive by the set time, Iran would also stop its retaliation.

Since Israel launched its surprise strikes on June 13, targeting military and nuclear sites inside Iran, both nations have exchanged heavy bombardments, leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured. Israel’s military claims to have killed top Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists, while Iranian strikes have left scores dead in Israeli cities.

In a significant escalation, Iran also launched missiles at the US military’s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Although no American casualties were reported, Qatar condemned the attack as “blatant aggression.” The move came after the United States joined Israel’s campaign by striking Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend.

International leaders have raised alarm over the escalating crisis, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling for an end to the “spiral of chaos”, while China warned of global economic risks. Trump, however, maintained that “sometimes they have to fight it out” but continued to push for a ceasefire.

As explosions rocked both Tehran and Israeli cities overnight, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard vowed “more devastating operations” if aggression persisted, while Israeli officials declared that Iran would “pay a heavy price” for targeting civilians.

Despite ongoing hostilities and uncertainty around the ceasefire’s enforcement, Trump insisted the truce was active, and urged both sides to adhere to it. The situation remains tense, with analysts warning that even a temporary lull could easily unravel if provocations continue.