Trump Announces Ceasefire Between Iran and Israel
President Trump announced a staggered ceasefire between Iran and Israel aiming to end recent hostilities that have resulted in significant casualties. The ceasefire will begin with Iran halting operations unilaterally at 0400 GMT, followed by Israel 12 hours later. Despite this announcement, tensions remain high with ongoing military exchanges and international concerns about a broader conflict.
In a significant move aimed at de-escalating a rapidly escalating conflict, President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Iran and Israel have reached a staggered ceasefire agreement. This announcement aims to effectively end a confrontation that has raised international concerns of a broader war potentially involving the U.S. Trump took to his Truth Social platform to declare that both countries had agreed to a comprehensive ceasefire, although this agreement has not been publicly confirmed by either party involved in the conflict.
Recent military exchanges have resulted in considerable casualties on both sides; officials report hundreds of deaths in Iran and around two dozen in Israel due to recent missile clashes. At the heart of the escalation, the U.S. had escalated the situation over the weekend by conducting airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, leading to a retaliatory missile attack on an American base in Qatar, which Trump indicated was repelled successfully.
The ceasefire, as outlined by the U.S. president, is set to start with a 24-hour phased process beginning at 0400 GMT on Tuesday. Iran is expected to cease operations unilaterally, while Israel will follow suit twelve hours later. In a statement, Trump proclaimed, “Upon the 24th hour, an official end to the 12-day war will be saluted by the world,” emphasizing the need for both nations to maintain a climate of respect and peace throughout the process.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, tensions remain palpable, evidenced by loud explosions in Tehran, where the Israeli army had earlier advised residents to evacuate areas of the city. The prospect of a ceasefire is viewed as a much-needed relief for global leaders concerned about broader regional implications.
The announcement by Trump occurred shortly after Iran attempted to strike the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East. However, Trump described the Iranian strike as “very weak,” and noted that there were no American casualties resulting from that attack. Tehran’s missile assault was characterized as a direct response to the U.S.’s aggressive actions against its nuclear facilities.
Iran’s National Security Council clarified that their missile launch aimed to mirror the number of bombs used by the U.S. in previous attacks, attempting to modulate their response to avoid further escalation of hostilities. According to senior advisor Ali Vaez from the International Crisis Group, “This was calibrated and telegraphed in a way that would not result in any American casualties, so that there is an off ramp for both sides.”
On the heels of these developments, France’s President Emmanuel Macron voiced calls for de-escalation, while concerns from China highlighted the potential economic implications of a protracted conflict.
In response to their strikes on Iran, Israel has been accused of causing over 400 fatalities, while Iranian attacks have resulted in 24 deaths in Israel. As these military exchanges continue, tensions remain high, with the Israeli army overseeing evacuations in various areas of central Tehran, where it has been targeting military infrastructure of the Iranian regime. The volatile situation is being monitored closely, as both regional and global leaders grapple with the consequences of this fraught geopolitical standoff.
Overall, President Trump has put forth a ceasefire proposal between Iran and Israel as a move to halt a conflict that has escalated dramatically and threatened broader regional war. This plan involves a phased cessation of hostilities beginning Tuesday, with both nations expected to adhere to respectful conduct throughout. In the wake of recent military engagements, the situation continues to be tenuous, with many remaining hopeful that this ceasefire could pave the way for lasting peace and stability.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
