Amidst the Iran-Israel conflict, Donald Trump declared a ceasefire, which Iran promptly denied. Despite the denial, Iran confirmed its military operations ceased at 4 am Tehran time, following missile strikes on a US base in Qatar in response to attacks on its nuclear facilities. Tensions remain high as Iran’s Supreme Leader asserts the nation’s resilience.
In a dramatic turn during the twelfth day of the Iran-Israel conflict, US President Donald Trump announced that a complete ceasefire had been agreed upon between the two warring nations. However, within minutes, Iran firmly denied any such deal and stated that there is no agreement as of now.Meanwhile, Israeli emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA) confirmed that three people were killed in an Iranian missile strike on southern Israel, marking the first reported deaths in Israel since Trump’s ceasefire announcement.
Here are the top 10 developments:
1. Trump says war is ending with a ‘Complete and Total CEASEFIRE’Donald Trump took to Truth Social to declare an end to the conflict, stating that Israel and Iran had both agreed to a ceasefire. He described the 12-day war as one that could have “destroyed the entire Middle East” but was instead coming to a peaceful close.“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!”“God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!”
2. Iran’s foreign minister quickly denies any dealJust after Trump’s post, Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi released a statement saying that no ceasefire had been agreed to. He maintained that Iran had been defending itself and set conditions for halting operations.“As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around.”“As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards.”“The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.”
3. Iran confirms military operations ended at 4amA second post by Araghchi followed shortly, confirming that Iran’s military actions had stopped as of 4am, while praising the Iranian Armed Forces.“The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am.”“Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute.”
4. Iran’s Supreme Leader warns Iran does not surrenderIran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shared a strong message online, saying that Iran will not back down and showed that the country remains strong and determined.“Those who know the Iranian people and their history know that the Iranian nation isn’t a nation that surrenders.”
5. Iran launches missiles at US base in QatarHours before the ceasefire talk, Iran launched missiles at the US-operated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Loud explosions were heard across Doha and Lusail. Iran said this was in retaliation for US bombing of its nuclear facilities. Qatar condemned the strike and claimed nearly all missiles were intercepted.Iranian media called it “a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression.”These strikes came in response to the US’ Operation Midnight Hammer, which targeted Iran’s three major nuclear sites: Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. The US used B-2 bombers and 30,000-pound bunker-buster ammunition to carry out the operation.
6. Trump says Iran’s response was weak and ineffectiveTrump downplayed Iran’s missile strike on the base in Qatar, saying most of the missiles were intercepted and that no Americans were hurt. He urged Iran to move forward towards peace.“Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered. There have been 14 missiles fired — 13 were knocked down, and 1 was ‘set free,’ because it was headed in a nonthreatening direction. I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done.”“Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same.”
