Washington D.C. | Tehran | Jerusalem – A tense 12-day conflict across the Middle East between Israel and Iran concluded today, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, following the acceptance of a ceasefire plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The bilateral agreement aims to halt hostilities that escalated significantly in recent days.
The acceptance of the truce came on Tuesday morning, hours after a final, intense exchange of attacks marked the end of active fighting. These final hours saw an Iranian missile onslaught targeting Israel early Tuesday, resulting in at least four fatalities. In swift retaliation before dawn, Israeli airstrikes were conducted across various locations in Iran.
Agreement Reached
Confirmation of the agreement arrived from both capitals. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel’s acceptance of the bilateral ceasefire plan, specifically noting it was reached in coordination with U.S. President Donald Trump. This coordination underscores Washington’s pivotal role in mediating an end to the dangerous confrontation that had gripped the region.
The agreement followed indications from Tehran that a de-escalation was possible. Iran’s Foreign Minister had earlier stated that Tehran would cease its attacks if Israel halted its airstrikes. A specific deadline was cited for Israel to stop aerial operations: by 4 a.m. local time Tuesday.
Timeline of Escalation Leading to Truce
The 12-day conflict saw a series of escalating actions and reactions between the two regional powers. The immediate context for the recent heightened hostilities, according to the provided summary, involved Iran’s limited missile attack on a U.S. military base located in Qatar. This strike was characterized as retaliation for prior U.S. military actions.
Just days earlier, on Sunday, June 22, the U.S. military had conducted strikes targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran’s response came swiftly on Monday evening, June 23, when its forces launched missile attacks not only at al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar but also against bases situated in Iraq. Qatar’s authorities subsequently reported that the incoming missiles targeting al-Udeid Air Base were successfully intercepted, resulting in no reported casualties at the key U.S. command and logistics hub.
The lead-up to the ceasefire acceptance on Tuesday, June 24, was punctuated by the aforementioned final, devastating exchange of fire, highlighting the acute risk of further escalation that the truce now seeks to avert.
Official Confirmations and Stated Objectives
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s communication regarding the agreement was accompanied by statements made the previous day, Monday, June 23, concerning Israel’s objectives during the conflict. Mr. Netanyahu asserted that Israel had achieved its key war goals. He specified these achievements as neutralizing Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile threats, and significantly damaging its military leadership capabilities. These statements provided insight into Israel’s perceived success in the military campaign that has now concluded.
Meanwhile, the condition set forth by Iran’s Foreign Minister – that Tehran would cease attacks contingent upon Israel halting its airstrikes by the designated time on Tuesday morning – framed Iran’s position and contributed to the pathway towards de-escalation.
The acceptance by both Israel and Iran of President Trump’s proposed ceasefire plan marks a critical turning point, bringing a temporary end to a period of direct and potentially catastrophic military engagement that had placed the wider Middle East region on edge for nearly two weeks. The implementation and durability of this truce will be closely watched by international observers and the involved parties alike.
