ISLAMABAD:
US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran is officially in effect.
He made the statement via his Truth Social account, urging both countries to honor the agreement.
“THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!” Trump wrote in capital letters.
His statement came just hours after Iran launched multiple waves of missiles into Israel, killing four people in Beersheba, according to Israel’s ambulance service.
The ceasefire follows 12 days of intense conflict triggered by Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Despite the truce, explosions were heard near Tel Aviv and Beersheba shortly before Trump’s announcement.
Iranian media later reported those were part of Iran’s final missile wave before the ceasefire deadline.
Ceasefire Reached After Diplomatic Push
A senior White House official said Trump brokered the deal during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel reportedly agreed to halt operations as long as Iran ceased further attacks.
Trump praised both nations for their “stamina, courage, and intelligence” in ending what he called “The 12-Day War.”
Tehran also confirmed it had agreed to the truce, but emphasized the condition that Israel must stop its aggression.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned that military operations would only cease if Israeli attacks ended by 4 a.m. Tehran time.
Conditions Remain Fragile
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed Israel had met its strategic goals and would honor the ceasefire.
He added that any violations by Iran would trigger an immediate and forceful response.
Iran, meanwhile, accused Israel of illegal aggression and reserved the right to respond to future threats.
Both nations remain on high alert, and international observers have warned that the situation remains unstable.
The ceasefire marks a temporary pause, but not necessarily a permanent end, to hostilities in the region.
