U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Iran and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire after cloae to two weeks of violent conflict between the two countries.
Trump took to his Truth Social on Monday evening to announce that both countries had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire”.
According to him, the ceasefire agreement is expected to take effect at 12 midnight local time but both Iran and Israel are yet to confirm any definite ceasefire agreement.
However, Iran said its military operations “to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am.”
Trump wrote: “Congratulations to everyone! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a complete and total ceasefire”.
Trump said the ceasefire will begin “in approximately six hours from now” after each country has “wound down” their military operations and “the war will be considered ended”.
Trump announced that “officially, Iran will start the ceasefire and, upon the 12th hour, Israel will start the ceasefire”.
He added that “by the 24th hour, an official end to the 12 day war will be saluted by the world”.
The U.S. leader congratulated both countries for the courage to end the disastrous conflict.
“During each ceasefire, the other side will remain peaceful and respectful,” Trump wrote.
“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both countries.
“Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, “the 12 day war”.”
He stressed that the war could have destroyed the Middle East if allowed to persist.
“This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will!
“God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and God bless the world!” Trump concluded.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Araghchi, in his response, said, “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.”
Guterres condemns Iran attack on U.S. airbase in Qatar, Trump confirms attack
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned Iran’s missile attack on the U.S. military base in Qatar on Monday.
The Spokesperson to the Secretary-General said in a statement that Guterres was “deeply alarmed” by the further escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.
This is just as Trump confirmed that Iran had launched missiles at the American military base in Qatar in retaliation for the U.S. bombing of three of its nuclear facilities on Saturday.
Iran reportedly fired several missiles at Al Udeid Air Base, where some 10,000 troops are reportedly stationed.
All but one were intercepted by Qatar and no casualties were reported, according to reports.
The development marked the latest step in more than a week of missile strikes between Iran and Israel, and the situation has escalated with U.S. involvement.
“From the outset of the crisis, the Secretary-General has repeatedly condemned any military escalation in this conflict, including today’s attack by Iran on the territory of Qatar.
“He further reiterates his call on all parties to stop fighting,” the statement said.
The UN chief urged all Member States to uphold their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law.
Trump took to Truth Social on Monday to confirm that Iran launched 14 missiles at the U.S. bases in response to the U.S. strike.
“Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered,” he said.
“There have been 14 missiles fired – 13 were knocked down, and one 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.”
Trump also hinted that Iran gave the U.S. an advanced notice of the missile attack.
“Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their “system,” and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE.
“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,” he said.
The U.S. leader advised both Iran and Israel to work for a ceasefire and allow peace in the Middle East.
“Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same,” the American leader said.