President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was now in effect, even as he lashed out at both nations—particularly Israel—for violating the fragile truce he helped broker.
Speaking to reporters before departing for a NATO summit in The Hague, Trump, 79, expressed frustration with both countries, saying, "They’ve been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f** they’re doing."*
Moments before boarding Marine One, the President confirmed the truce on his Truth Social platform, posting:
“ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly ‘Plane Wave’ to Iran. Nobody will be hurt. The Ceasefire is in effect!”
The declaration followed a tense morning of social media activity, including a blunt warning to Israel:
“ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!”
The ceasefire, if it holds, would mark a political win for Trump, who took the unprecedented step of authorizing US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend, including the heavily fortified Fordow complex. The US claimed the sites were being used for secret bomb production, prompting international alarm.
Despite his sharp rebuke of both Tehran and Tel Aviv, Trump maintained that the US bombing mission was a success:
“I think it’s been completely demolished,” he said, attacking media outlets he accused of downplaying the strikes’ effectiveness. “IRAN WILL NEVER REBUILD THEIR NUCLEAR FACILITIES!” he added on Truth Social.
Ceasefire Terms
According to Trump, the ceasefire was to begin in phases:
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Iran would halt all operations from 0400 GMT Tuesday.
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Israel was expected to comply 12 hours later.
However, Trump’s comments suggest that Israeli warplanes resumed operations shortly after the truce was set, prompting his real-time intervention.
Diplomatic Tightrope
Trump’s unusually public criticism of Israel—a key US ally—marks a rare instance of direct pressure as the White House seeks to de-escalate the conflict. He confirmed he was actively trying to “calm down” the situation and “get Israel to stop” its bombing campaign.
Meanwhile, Iran retaliated for earlier US-Israeli strikes by launching missiles at American bases in Qatar and Iraq, escalating fears of a broader regional conflict. Explosions were reported over Doha, and Qatar condemned the attack on the Al Udeid base as a “flagrant violation.”
Tensions remain high as the world watches whether the ceasefire will hold—and whether Trump’s risky intervention will succeed or unravel.
