Israel-Iran ceasefire brokered by Trump after 12 days of escalation
What Happened
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran was announced by Donald Trump after 12 days of intense conflict involving strikes on Iranian nuclear sites (Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan) and Iranian missile attacks, including one on a U.S. base in Qatar. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed the agreement, while Iran’s foreign minister said it would halt military operations only if Israel stopped its attacks first. Despite the ceasefire, fresh missile barrages continued into the early hours, killing at least four in Israel and nine in Iran, as both nations issued conflicting statements over whether hostilities had truly ended.
What Next
The ceasefire’s durability remains uncertain amid ongoing mistrust and sporadic missile exchanges. Washington has credited Qatar’s mediation efforts and Trump’s “deal-making” role, while urging both sides to respect the terms. International pressure is mounting to solidify the truce, with contingency planning underway for renewed violence if either nation breaks the pledge. The diplomatic window now opens for potential de‑escalation and renewed nuclear negotiations, but analysts warn that without clear verification and trust-building, the “12-day war” might only resume.
