In a dramatic announcement Monday evening, President Donald Trump declared a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Iran, bringing an apparent end to 12 days of escalating military conflict that threatened to engulf the Middle East in a wider war.
The agreement follows a tense weekend in which the U.S. military conducted airstrikes on multiple Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran retaliated with missile fire toward U.S. and Israeli targets. According to the White House, the cease-fire will go into effect in staggered phases over 24 hours, with Iran initiating the pause in hostilities, followed by Israel.
“It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE... for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
The president also lauded the “Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence” of both countries in bringing the conflict to a close, adding that the world would “salute” the end of what he has dubbed “THE 12 DAY WAR.”
A Sudden but Fragile Resolution
Analysts and foreign policy experts were caught off guard by the rapid de-escalation, particularly after U.S. strikes devastated key Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend. Though President Trump characterized the response as “surgical and necessary,” Iran's retaliation — including a ballistic missile salvo toward a U.S. base in Qatar — risked triggering a much wider conflict.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking on Fox News shortly after the announcement, called the cease-fire “a win for peace and deterrence.”
“We eliminated Iran’s nuclear weapons capability without launching a ground war, without a single American casualty,” Vance said. “This is the kind of leadership the world has come to expect from President Trump.”
The U.S. Central Command confirmed that most of the Iranian missiles fired at Al Udeid Air Base were intercepted by Patriot defense systems, and no American or allied personnel were harmed.
What Prompted the Conflict?
Tensions erupted after a covert Israeli air operation on June 11 targeted nuclear sites and key Iranian Revolutionary Guard leaders, killing multiple high-ranking officials and two senior nuclear scientists. The Israeli government stated the strikes were preemptive, aimed at halting what intelligence had assessed to be Iran’s imminent capability to assemble a nuclear weapon.
Iran responded with rocket and drone attacks on Israel’s northern cities, as well as launching strikes against American forces in the region, dragging the United States deeper into the conflict.
U.S. Airstrikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities
On Saturday night, the U.S. Air Force launched a series of coordinated airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan — locations previously central to Tehran’s uranium enrichment program. Satellite imagery released by independent analysts shows extensive structural damage to the facilities, although Iranian state media claimed that the sites were not fully destroyed.
The Pentagon has stated that it is still assessing the full extent of the damage.
“We believe Iran’s nuclear program has been set back significantly, but we’re not prepared to say whether it has been permanently neutralized,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Sunday press briefing.
Global Reaction: Relief Mixed With Skepticism
While many world leaders welcomed the cease-fire, there is widespread concern about its durability.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the deal but warned that “the underlying tensions and regional rivalries remain unresolved.” European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed cautious optimism and called for the restoration of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the 2015 Iran nuclear deal abandoned by Trump in 2018.
In Israel, reactions were mixed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the cease-fire as a validation of Israel’s aggressive deterrence strategy, saying in a statement, “Iran now knows that its pursuit of nuclear weapons will never be tolerated. This war has sent a message — a very loud one.”
However, opposition leaders in Israel questioned whether a cease-fire without full Iranian disarmament would be sustainable.
Iran’s Silence and Internal Pressure
As of Monday night, the Iranian regime has not officially acknowledged the cease-fire agreement. State TV reported only “temporary operational pauses” and framed the recent U.S. and Israeli attacks as acts of aggression. The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has not commented directly, though analysts believe internal dissent and economic pressure likely played a role in Tehran’s decision to stand down.
Iran's economy has been crippled by renewed U.S. sanctions, while domestic unrest has continued over the government’s response to political dissent and economic mismanagement. Some experts believe the regime may have agreed to the cease-fire to avoid further destabilization.
“Iran was staring down the barrel of a three-front war, with its nuclear program in ruins and internal pressure mounting,” said Dr. Reza Kazemi, a fellow at the Middle East Institute. “It was either escalate and risk collapse — or pause and regroup.”
What's Next?
The agreement did not include any framework for future diplomatic talks, nuclear inspections, or regional security guarantees — elements that many experts see as necessary for lasting peace.
There are also concerns that Iranian proxy groups — including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen — may continue to act independently. Israeli officials have said that the IDF will remain on “high alert” along its northern border with Lebanon and has not ruled out preemptive strikes against Hezbollah if attacks resume.
The U.S., meanwhile, has signaled it will maintain a strong military presence in the Gulf region.
“Peace today doesn’t mean peace tomorrow,” Secretary Hegseth warned. “Our readiness remains at the highest level.”
Trump’s Foreign Policy Doctrine: Force First, Deal Later?
The swift resolution of the war may serve as a political victory for President Trump, who has consistently favored force-backed diplomacy. Trump’s decision to destroy Iranian nuclear assets — rather than negotiate — echoes his first-term strategies, particularly the 2020 assassination of Qasem Soleimani and the pressure campaign following withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.
While critics accuse Trump of reckless brinkmanship, his supporters argue that the show of strength forced Iran to back down and created leverage for future negotiations.
“Only President Trump could have achieved this historic cease-fire agreement,” said Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. “This is what American leadership looks like.”
A Brief War with Lasting Consequences?
As the guns fall silent — at least temporarily — the region remains on edge. With no long-term roadmap for peace and with Iran’s nuclear capabilities wounded but likely not destroyed, the next chapter in U.S.-Iran relations remains uncertain.
Experts agree on one point: the end of the 12-day war is not the end of the conflict.
“This was a flare-up in a much longer, colder war,” said Gen. (Ret.) David Petraeus. “We’ve avoided a wider regional explosion — for now. But nothing about this situation is truly resolved.”
Key Events: The 12-Day War at a Glance
June 11: Israel launches targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear and military leaders.
June 12–16: Iran retaliates with drone and missile attacks on Israel.
June 18: Iran fires missiles at U.S. military base in Qatar; no casualties reported.
June 21: U.S. strikes Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
