In a significant development, former President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Iran have negotiated a ceasefire, effectively halting what he referred to as the “12 Day War.” This announcement comes on the heels of heightened tensions following Iran’s retaliatory strike against a U.S. airbase in Qatar, a key military facility in the Middle East, after the United States joined Israel in a campaign targeting Iranian uranium enrichment facilities.
The U.S. and Israel had no hesitation in sharply widening the conflict by immediately carrying out synchronized airstrikes on critical war-making infrastructure. In retaliation, Iran launched missile strikes in return. Iran subsequently shot a volley of missiles at the Al Udeid airbase in Qatar, which hosts US forces. They asserted that the attack was a symbolic retaliation and not an act of aggression against Qatar, which they referred to as a “friendly and brotherly” country.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, condemned the U.S. strikes, declaring them a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations charter.” Trump said Iran was intercepted 13 out of 14 of its incoming missiles. He went on to say that one missile was left to go to its destination since it did not pose a threat.
Iran’s judiciary later acknowledged damage to Evin prison. They declared via the Mizan news agency that further information would be forthcoming. The Iranian armed forces had made the point that they would not countenance aggression against Iran. Gila Gamleil, Iran’s science and technology minister, voiced encouragement regarding the ceasefire. She hopes that it would help improve cordiality and accountability in the area.
Trump praised the ceasefire’s promise to help create a “more peaceful relationship between Israel and Iran.” He stated, “During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL,” while expressing his congratulations to both nations for their perceived courage and stamina in reaching an agreement.
The ceasefire pledge comes against a long backdrop of Iranian hostility towards the U.S. and its people. Iran firing more than a dozen ballistic missiles in 2020 against Iraqi airbases that hosted U.S. forces. This attack was retaliation for the US assassination of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani. Moreover, members of Trump’s cabinet had previously called for the overthrow of Iran’s theocratic regime.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and Basij militia were among the targets of these Israeli airstrikes, as part of this wider Israeli campaign. Gila Gamleil further stated that “as long as the Nazi ayatollah regime sits in Tehran, it has the potential to rebuild its destructive capabilities,” emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
In his announcement of the ceasefire, Trump expressed optimism for the future. “Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same.” He pointed out that the war was proving costly and painful enough for both sides and emphasized a desire for peace on both sides.
The recent ceasefire agreement has drawn international interest. French President Emmanuel Macron quickly expressed solidarity with Qatar and advised that U.S. strikes on Iran were not legally justified. A senior Iranian official had told Reuters that Tehran accepted the U.S.-proposed ceasefire.