Trump Declares Ceasefire Between Iran and Israel, Ending ‘12-Day War’ Amid Regional Tensions

Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced late Monday that a “complete and total ceasefire” has been reached between Israel and Iran, bringing a potential end to nearly two weeks of rapidly escalating conflict that threatened to engulf the Middle East.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump revealed that the ceasefire was “fully agreed upon between Israel and Iran” and would be implemented in a phased, 24-hour process. The announcement came just hours after Iran reportedly launched a missile strike on a U.S. military installation in Qatar—a move that significantly raised the stakes in an already volatile standoff.

“This is a war that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will,” Trump declared, calling the conflict “The 12 Day War.”

A Phased Path to Peace

According to the ceasefire plan, Iran is to halt all military operations starting at 5 a.m. UK time Tuesday. Israel, under the terms of the agreement, will follow suit 12 hours later. The conflict is to be officially considered over after another 12 hours of mutual compliance.

The agreement reportedly hinges on Iran refraining from any further attacks—a condition laid out by a White House official who confirmed Israel’s acceptance of the terms on that basis. Iran has also formally committed to ending hostilities toward Israel, according to the same official.

The deal was brokered with help from Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who played a pivotal role in conveying the U.S. proposal to Tehran. His diplomatic outreach reportedly secured Iran’s acceptance of the ceasefire minutes after Israeli airstrikes were heard in the Iranian capital.

Missiles Over Doha, Calm in Washington

Just hours before Trump’s declaration, tensions spiked when Iran launched ballistic missiles targeting the Al Udaid Air Base in Doha, Qatar—a critical hub for U.S. forces in the region. The base, which hosts approximately 10,000 American military personnel, was targeted in what Iranian state media framed as a retaliatory strike.

However, the missiles were intercepted by air defense systems, and no casualties or damage were reported. Trump downplayed the assault, calling it a “very weak” attack and expressing gratitude to Tehran for providing advance warning.

“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,” Trump said on social media.

The president added that this may signal the end of Iranian retaliation in response to earlier U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, though Iranian officials have remained cautious in their public remarks.

Reactions and Ramifications

Speaking on Fox News shortly after the ceasefire announcement, Vice President JD Vance credited Trump with pushing the agreement “across the finish line.”

“We were actually working on that just as I left the White House to come over here. So that’s good news,” Vance said, while also claiming that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been neutralized. “Iran is no more capable of building a nuclear weapon because we destroyed it,” he added—though he provided no further details or evidence.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the country’s participation in the ceasefire but issued a caveat: Tehran remains ready to respond if provoked again. “We will be ready to respond again in case of further action by the U.S.,” he warned, signaling that while Iran is stepping back, its posture remains alert.

Strategic Calculations

The announcement marks a significant moment in a rapidly shifting Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape. Over the last 12 days, the confrontation between Iran and Israel had escalated with unprecedented intensity, including airstrikes, missile salvos, and targeted operations.

Military analysts say the ceasefire’s success depends heavily on whether each side adheres to the timeline and underlying conditions. Any misstep—intentional or accidental—could unravel the fragile agreement.

“This is a positive development, but it’s far from a resolution,” said Dr. Samira Rahimi, a regional affairs expert at the Brookings Institution. “Both Israel and Iran have longstanding strategic and ideological differences that are not going to disappear overnight.”

A Region on Edge

Even as a tentative calm sets in, the wider region remains tense. With multiple proxy groups and competing regional powers in play, the ceasefire may bring temporary relief but not a permanent peace.

The U.S., which has had a complex diplomatic history with both nations, has so far avoided direct military engagement in this recent flare-up. However, the missile attack on its base in Qatar underscores the risks American forces face in any future escalation.

Global markets, particularly energy sectors sensitive to Middle East instability, are likely to watch closely for signs that the ceasefire holds. Oil prices, which spiked in recent days due to the conflict, may stabilize if the truce endures.

Conclusion

While Trump’s announcement brings hope of a cessation to immediate violence, regional and international stakeholders remain cautious. The so-called “12 Day War” may be over for now, but the broader conflict that has shaped Israel-Iran relations for decades is far from resolved.

For the moment, diplomacy has bought time—but whether it has also bought peace remains to be seen