Trump declares Israel-Iran war is over

International

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the "12-Day War" between Iran and Israel was set to conclude with a ceasefire.

"On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, 'THE 12 DAY WAR'," Trump wrote on his Truth Social site.

Trump detailed a phased 24-hour process beginning at approximately 0400 GMT Tuesday (12:00 PM Tuesday, June 24, Philippine Time), with Iran unilaterally halting all operations, followed by Israel 12 hours later.

"Upon the 24th hour, an official end to the 12-day war will be saluted by the world," he said, adding that both sides had agreed to remain "peaceful and respectful" during each phase of the process.

This announcement, coming five hours after Iran launched missiles at the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East – Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar – a move Trump shrugged off as "very weak," signals a potentially pivotal moment after nearly two weeks of intense, unprecedented exchanges of attacks.

Iran's National Security Council confirmed having targeted the base "in response to the US aggressive and insolent action against Iran's nuclear sites and facilities."

However, despite Trump's confident pronouncements, immediate official confirmation from either Middle Eastern adversary remained elusive.

Explosions continued to rock Tehran overnight, according to AFP journalists, with blasts reported in the north and center of the Iranian capital, raising questions about the immediate efficacy and complete adherence to the announced truce.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly voiced his profound alarm throughout the crisis, stating just yesterday, June 23, that he is "gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran…“This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security."

He warned of a "growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control — with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world," emphasizing that "there is no military solution.

This volatile period underscores the profound anxieties among world leaders, whose concerted diplomatic efforts are now more crucial than ever to transform a fragile truce into a lasting peace and avert a devastating wider conflagration.(Sarah Balaba/CNU Comm Intern)