What’s Behind Trump’s Bold Ceasefire Claim Amid Ongoing Israel-Iran Conflict?

Ceasefire Announcement Amid Continued Attacks

In Dubai, President Donald Trump declared that Israel and Iran had reached a 'complete and total ceasefire,' although the situation remained uncertain as hostilities persisted on Tuesday.

This announcement followed Iran's missile strike on a US military installation in Qatar, which was seen as retaliation for American airstrikes on its nuclear facilities.

Iran's foreign minister stated that if Israel ceased its attacks by 4 AM local time, Iran would also stop its military actions. However, shortly after this deadline, Israel reported missile launches from Iran, prompting air raid sirens in its territory.

The implications of these missile launches on the ceasefire remain ambiguous.

Trump's post on Truth Social indicated that the ceasefire would not take effect until midnight Tuesday Eastern Time, claiming it would signify an 'Official END' to the conflict.

Israel's Response and Uncertainty

While Israel did not officially confirm the ceasefire, reports indicated a halt in strikes against Iran after the specified time. Prior to this, heavy bombardments had occurred in Tehran and other cities.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that there was no agreement on a ceasefire, but indicated that military responses would cease if Israel halted its aggression.

His statement was made shortly after the deadline, suggesting that the final decision on military operations would be determined later.

The Israeli military refrained from commenting on Trump's ceasefire announcement, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office did not respond immediately.

Trump's '12 Day War' Reference

Trump referred to the ongoing conflict as the '12 Day War,' drawing parallels to the 1967 Six Day War, which holds significant historical weight in the Arab world, particularly for Palestinians.

During the 1967 conflict, Israel captured several territories, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which remain contentious issues today.

Trump reportedly communicated directly with Netanyahu to facilitate the ceasefire, while US officials engaged with Iranian representatives through various channels.

The White House suggested that recent military actions contributed to Israel's willingness to agree to a ceasefire, with Qatar playing a mediating role.

Iran's Military Actions and Regional Tensions

Despite the missile attack on the US base in Qatar, Iran appeared to signal a readiness to de-escalate tensions, having warned the US beforehand, resulting in no casualties.

Qatar condemned the missile strike as a violation of its sovereignty, claiming to have intercepted most of the missiles.

Iran stated that the missile volley was a response to US bombings of its nuclear sites, targeting a base located away from populated areas.

Reports indicated that 19 missiles were launched at the base, with Trump claiming that 14 were fired, and most were intercepted.

Escalating Attacks Between Israel and Iran

On Tuesday morning, both Israel and Iran exchanged missile and drone strikes.

Iran targeted Israel, while Israel claimed to have struck key military locations in Tehran, including facilities linked to recent protests.

Israeli forces also targeted roads leading to Iran's Fordo enrichment site, which had been previously attacked by US forces.

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog anticipated significant damage at the Fordo facility due to the recent airstrikes.

Trump's Remarks on Regime Change

Israeli officials have distanced themselves from any intentions to overthrow Iran's government, despite Trump's recent comments suggesting regime change.

Following the announcement of the ceasefire, an Israeli official indicated that the country aimed to de-escalate the conflict, contingent on Iran's actions.

Israel's preferred outcome is for Iran to agree to a ceasefire and resume negotiations regarding its nuclear program, while remaining prepared for a prolonged conflict if necessary.

Human Cost of the Conflict

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 24 deaths and over 1,000 injuries reported in Israel, while Iranian casualties are estimated at 974 dead and 3,458 injured.

The US has facilitated the evacuation of around 250 American citizens and their families from Israel, with approximately 700,000 Americans believed to be in the country.