US President Donald Trump announced a surprise ceasefire between Israel and Iran, marking a potential end to the recent hostilities in the Middle East. According to Trump, the ceasefire would be phased in over 24 hours, starting with Iran and followed by Israel 12 hours later. The announcement comes after a series of escalating tensions and military strikes between the two countries.
Key Developments
– *Ceasefire Details*:
The ceasefire is set to begin approximately 6 hours after Trump’s announcement, with both countries completing their final missions. Iran would start the ceasefire, followed by Israel 12 hours later.
– *Reactions*:
Iran’s foreign minister has stated that there is no agreement on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations, adding that if Israel doesn’t stop its aggression against Iran, Tehran has no intention to continue its response forward.
– *Conflicting Reports*:
While Trump’s announcement suggests a ceasefire agreement, neither Israel nor Iran has officially confirmed the deal. In fact, Iran’s state television initially announced a ceasefire, but later reports indicated continued missile launches from Iran.
– *Global Response*:
Several Gulf states, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, have reopened their airspace and resumed operations at some of the world’s busiest airports after halting flights due to Iran’s air strikes on a US base in Qatar.
– *Oil Prices*:
Crude oil prices have extended their slump after Trump’s ceasefire announcement, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for August falling as much as 5.1% to $65.02 per barrel.
Background
The conflict between Israel and Iran escalated recently, with the US launching a military strike on Iranian nuclear sites and Iran retaliating with a missile attack on a US air base in Qatar. Trump claimed that Iran warned the US in advance of the missile strike, which resulted in no casualties. The US president has been a key player in the diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, and this ceasefire announcement marks a significant development in the region’s tensions.
News In DepthÂ
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Israel and Iran have agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” to be phased in over 24 hours. According to Trump, the ceasefire would start with Iran and then be joined by Israel 12 hours later. Trump stated that the war, which he referred to as the “12 Day War,” could have continued for years and destroyed the Middle East.
Key Points of the Ceasefire Announcement:
– *Ceasefire Timeline*: The ceasefire is set to begin approximately 6 hours after Trump’s announcement, with both countries completing their final missions.
– *Phased Implementation*: Iran would start the ceasefire, followed by Israel 12 hours later.
– *Terms*: The exact terms of the ceasefire, other than the timeline, have not been disclosed.
*Reactions and Context:*
– *Limited Confirmation*: Neither Israel nor Iran has officially confirmed the ceasefire.
– *Recent Conflict*: The announcement comes after a US military strike on Iranian nuclear sites and a retaliatory missile attack by Iran on a US air base in Qatar.
– *Advance Warning*: Trump mentioned that Iran warned the US in advance of the missile strike, which resulted in no casualties.
