In a dramatic turn of events that stunned global observers, U.S. President Donald J. Trump has announced a “Complete and Total Ceasefire” between Israel and Iran, bringing an end to what he now dubbed “The 12-Day War.” The ceasefire announcement follows a volatile and rapidly escalating series of military actions that saw the United States directly strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, and Iran retaliate with missile attacks on U.S. bases and Israeli targets. Trump, noted that Iran had even provided advance notice of its missile attack on the U.S. base in Qatar.
On June 22, the U.S. military launched a high-intensity assault on three key Iranian nuclear sites, Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, under the codename Operation Midnight Hammer. The operation involved B-2 stealth bombers and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles, targeting deep underground nuclear infrastructure in what Trump described as a “spectacular military success.”
The Pentagon confirmed that the strikes were aimed at halting Iran’s “unacceptable nuclear enrichment activity,” which intelligence sources had warned was nearing weapons-grade levels. The operation marked the first time the U.S. had directly intervened in the escalating Israel-Iran war.
In swift retaliation, Iran launched a series of ballistic missile attacks on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a key hub for U.S. forces in the region. While there were no American casualties reported due to early intercepts and defensive systems, Iran declared the attack a “warning shot” and condemned the U.S. strikes as a “heinous crime.”
Simultaneously, Iran intensified its attacks on Israeli territory, injuring dozens and heightening fears of a full-scale regional war. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that “all options remain on the table,” prompting concerns over a wider conflict that could engulf Lebanon, Iraq, and the Gulf.
Trump Declares the War “Over”
President Trump announced that a ceasefire would begin approximately six hours after his declaration:
“It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE… 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.”
Trump praised both nations for having “the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end” the war, adding that the conflict “could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will.” The ceasefire agreement stipulates that during each phase, the other side must remain “peaceful and respectful.”
The next 24 hours will be critical in determining whether the ceasefire holds. The phased plan depends on military discipline, trust, and continued diplomatic engagement, no small feat in a region where proxy battles and historical enmities run deep.
Iran’s Foreign Minister praised the nation’s armed forces for continuing operations “until the very last minute,” ending at 4 a.m., just before the ceasefire began. He emphasized their readiness to defend the country “until their last drop of blood,” framing the military actions as justified retaliation for Israeli aggression. The statement reinforces Iran’s portrayal of strength and resolve even as hostilities pause.
The markets reacted positively following President Trump’s ceasefire announcement, swiftly recovering from the early morning panic triggered by Iran’s retaliation. Investor confidence surged throughout the day, and by market close, major indexes had rebounded to near record highs, signalling cautious optimism that the worst of the conflict had passed.
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