After nearly two weeks of intense air strikes and rising tensions, it looks like Israel and Iran have finally agreed to a ceasefire.
In a surprise announcement on social media, former US President Donald Trump revealed that the two countries have reached a deal to bring an end to the violence.
How the Ceasefire Will Work
According to Trump, the agreement involves two 12-hour periods of calm, starting with Iran. This will give both sides time to complete any ongoing missions and slowly wind down their military operations.
Once Iran’s 12-hour ceasefire is underway, Israel will follow suit with its own 12-hour ceasefire. If everything goes according to plan, the war will be officially declared over after 24 hours.
A Long and Bloody Conflict
The conflict, which has been dubbed the “12-Day War,” began on June 12 when Israel launched a series of strikes against Iranian military targets, including its nuclear program.
Israel claimed that it had received intelligence suggesting Iran was close to obtaining a nuclear weapon, but Iran denied these allegations.
The war has been marked by intense exchanges of fire, with both sides suffering significant losses.
Trump’s Role in the Ceasefire
Trump’s announcement came just two days after the US joined the conflict, launching strikes against Iranian nuclear targets.
While the former President’s role in the ceasefire is not entirely clear, his social media post suggests that he may have played a significant part in bringing the two sides together.
In his post, Trump congratulated both Israel and Iran on their “stamina, courage, and intelligence” in agreeing to the ceasefire.
Mixed Messages from Iranian Officials
In the hours leading up to the ceasefire, Iranian officials sent mixed messages about the agreement.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, denied that a ceasefire deal had been reached, but suggested that Iran would be willing to halt its strikes if Israel did the same.
Meanwhile, Iranian armed forces continued to exchange fire with Israeli forces, killing at least three people in a barrage of missiles.
What’s Next for the Region?
As the ceasefire takes hold, attention will turn to the long-term implications of the conflict. The US, which has been drawn into the war, will likely play a key role in shaping the region’s future.
For now, though, it seems that the immediate crisis has been averted, and the people of Israel and Iran can begin to breathe a sigh of relief.
Only time will tell if this ceasefire will hold, but for now, it’s a welcome step towards peace in a region that has known too much war.