President Trump announces ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran

KATHMANDU, June 24: US President Donald Trump has announced what he described as a "Complete and Total" ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, expressing hope that it will become permanent and mark the end of the 12-day conflict that has threatened to spiral into a wider regional war.

In a post shared on social media Monday evening, President Trump said the ceasefire is set to begin in about six hours, once both countries conclude their ongoing military operations.

“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 wrote.

According to Trump, the ceasefire will be phased in over 24 hours, with Iran initiating the halt in hostilities. “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,” he wrote. “During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL.”

So far, there has been no official confirmation of the ceasefire from either Tehran or Jerusalem.

The announcement follows a dramatic escalation in tensions, including Iran’s unprecedented launch of ballistic missiles targeting US military bases in Qatar and Iraq on Monday evening. The Iranian strikes, which Tehran claimed were in retaliation for US strikes in Iran’s nuclear facilities, marked a significant widening of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Several missiles reportedly struck near the US’ Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, prompting concerns of direct confrontation between Iran and the United States.

While Washington confirmed damage to infrastructure but reported no casualties, the attacks triggered heightened alerts across US bases in the region and prompted diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

In an interview with Fox News following Trump’s ceasefire declaration, Vice President JD Vance praised the president for securing the agreement. “That’s good news, that the president was able to get that across the finish line,” Vance said, adding that he had seen a draft of the statement just minutes before going on air.

“Iran is incapable of building a nuclear weapon with the equipment they have, because we destroyed it,” Vance further claimed, without providing additional details.

The 12-day conflict has drawn alarm from world leaders, with fears that the Israel-Iran hostilities could spark a broader war in the Middle East. President Trump’s announcement may now signal a turning point—though many observers remain cautious pending official confirmation and sustained calm on the ground.