President Donald Trump announced a new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran on Monday amid back-and-forth attacks from the two nations and on the heels of a retaliatory military strike from Iran to a U.S. base in Qatar.
Why It Matters
The strikes from the United States over the weekend against Iran mark the first direct U.S. military involvement in the escalating Israel-Iran war that began earlier this month.
Following the U.S. air assault, Trump said on Truth Social that “Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran.”
Israel first announced its attack on Iran, calling it a “preemptive strike” and warned its citizens of retaliatory bombings. Military tensions between the two countries have rapidly heightened in the days since.
What To Know
In a post on Truth Social the president announced the deal saying, “CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!”
The president then outlined that Iran will start the ceasefire and then Israel will begin at the 12th hour. Trump continued, “upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.”
Concluding, the president added: “During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL. On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, ‘THE 12 DAY WAR.’ This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will! God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!”
Newsweek has reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office via email on Monday night for comment.
Earlier Monday, President Trump thanked Iran for providing the U.S. and its allies with “early notice” ahead of Monday’s retaliatory missile strike targeting Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
He expressed optimism that Tehran’s response to the U.S. bombing of three key Iranian nuclear sites had “gotten it all out of their ‘system,'” and voiced hope the exchange would mark a turning point toward de-escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
“I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done,” Trump said on social media. “I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured. Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same.”
This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
Update: 6/23/25, 6:38 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
