June 24, 2025 | Associated Press (AP)
In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Iran and Israel have officially agreed to a mutual ceasefire, effectively ending 12 days of intense conflict that had threatened to engulf the Middle East in a wider war. The agreement was brokered with the assistance of Qatar, Turkey, and behind-the-scenes talks involving the United States and Russia.
Ceasefire Details and Conditions
The ceasefire, which came into effect at 6:00 AM local time, was confirmed by both the Israeli Prime Minister’s office and the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Iran’s lead negotiator, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, stated, “We are committed to restoring stability in the region while defending our sovereignty. The ceasefire reflects our desire to avoid further bloodshed.”
Israel echoed the sentiment, calling the truce a “strategic pause” to avoid further escalation while keeping its defense systems on high alert.
U.S. President Donald Trump (serving in an advisory role post-presidency) issued a statement on social media praising the deal, claiming his influence “helped bring both sides to the table.”
Attacks Preceding the Ceasefire
Just hours before the ceasefire was announced, Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, one of America’s largest military installations in the Middle East. The missile strike injured 12 U.S. personnel, with three reported in critical condition. The Pentagon confirmed the attack but emphasized that defensive systems intercepted most of the missiles.
Iran claimed the strike was retaliation for U.S. intelligence support to Israeli defense operations.
Timeline of the 12-Day War
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Day 1–3: Hostilities began with airstrikes near the Israel-Lebanon-Syria border. Iran-backed militias and the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) engaged in coordinated attacks on Israeli positions.
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Day 4–7: Israel responded with precision air raids deep into Iranian territory, targeting military infrastructure in Isfahan and Khuzestan provinces.
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Day 8–10: Cyber warfare intensified. Tehran reported blackouts in key cities, while Tel Aviv faced massive disruptions to its financial systems.
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Day 11: Iranian missiles struck Be'er Sheva, causing civilian casualties and sparking outrage in the Israeli parliament.
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Day 12: The U.S. base in Qatar was targeted, prompting emergency diplomatic talks that culminated in today’s ceasefire.
Was the War Over Oil and Power?
Analysts suggest the conflict had multiple triggers — ideological, strategic, and economic. Oil markets reacted immediately to the ceasefire announcement, with crude oil prices dropping 6.2% amid expectations of restored regional stability.
Markets in Europe and Asia opened stronger today, with S&P 500 futures rising 1.8%, and gold prices falling after several days of upward momentum driven by conflict fears.
Unanswered Questions and Next Steps
While the ceasefire is being hailed as a step toward de-escalation, many remain skeptical. Israeli intelligence reports suggest Iranian-backed militias remain active in Syria and Iraq, and U.S. officials warned that the situation is “calm but fragile.”
Iranian state TV, however, emphasized “victory in defense of sovereignty” and claimed the United States had been “taught a lesson” through the strike on its Qatar base.
Did Iran Agree to Peace or Pause?
While the ceasefire is now in effect, Iranian officials stopped short of calling it a peace deal. “This is not a surrender. It is a strategic restraint,” said a senior IRGC commander in a televised speech from Tehran.
The Israeli Defense Minister noted, “We will judge Iran not by its words, but its actions. We are prepared to resume operations at a moment’s notice if provoked.”
Live Reactions and Ongoing Monitoring
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CNN, Reuters, and Al Jazeera are providing live updates.
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Social media is trending with hashtags: #IranCeasefire, #12DayWar, and #MiddleEastPeace.
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Trump’s comments on the deal have reignited political debate in Washington.
As the world watches cautiously, the question remains: Is the war really over, or is this just an intermission before the next round?