U.S President Donald Trump announced via TruthSocial Monday night that Iran and Israel have accepted the terms of a ceasefire to begin in approximately six hours after just little over a week of exchanging missile fire.
“Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World,” Trump wrote in part.
Trump made the announcement just days after the United States became directly involved in the conflict on Saturday — bombing Iranian nuclear facilities with B-2 bombers and so-called “bunker buster” bombs aimed at destroying three nuclear facilities, including the Fordow site buried deep within the mountains of the country.
Trump went on to praise both countries in ceasefire announcement, saying that the conflict could have gone on for much longer.
“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.” 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 wrote.
Neither Iran, nor Israel have made any pubic comments about an agreement and CNN reported just an hour before Trump’s announcement that an Iranian official told them they hadn’t seen any ceasefire proposal.
Iran launched retaliatory strikes on a U.S. Military base in Qatar on Monday, which Trump dismissed as a “very weak response.”
Qatar condemned the attack on Al Udeid Air Base as “a flagrant violation” of its sovereignty, airspace and international law. Qatar said it intercepted all but one missile, though it was not clear if that missile caused any damage.
Iran said the volley matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend. Iran also said it targeted the base because it was outside of populated areas.
Those comments, made immediately after the attack, suggested Iran wanted to de-escalate with the United States, something Trump himself said after the strikes early Sunday on Iran.
Iran announced the attack on state television as martial music played. A caption on screen called it “a mighty and successful response” to “America’s aggression.”
It unclear at this time what the terms of the ceasefire agreement will be, as Israel had begun targeting in Iran on Monday. Israeli officials had denied claims that the country was seeking wholesale regime change in Iran, despite it being reported that Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei.
Trump said the “complete and total ceasefire” will be phased in over 24 hours.
