By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, following nearly two weeks of escalating conflict.
In a statement posted Monday on his Truth Social account, Trump said the agreement was reached after direct negotiations, and that it would bring an end to what he referred to as the “12-Day War.”
Trump stated that the ceasefire would take effect approximately six hours after the announcement, lasting for 12 hours on each side. He described it as “complete and total,” noting that Iran would initiate the ceasefire, followed by Israel. If both sides adhere to the terms, the war will be declared officially over after a 24-hour period of calm.
“Congratulations to everyone!” Trump wrote. “This is a war that could have gone on for years and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will.”
The announcement comes shortly after the U.S. conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—over the weekend. Iran responded by launching missile attacks on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which local officials attempted to downplay.
As of the time of reporting, neither the Israeli military nor Iranian authorities had issued public confirmation of the ceasefire.
