Ceasefire between Israel and Iran holds, Trump declares victory
Explosions were reported in Tehran, Iran, early Tuesday, hours after a ceasefire was declared between Israel and Iran in a deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Explosions were reported in Tehran, Iran, early Tuesday, hours after a ceasefire was declared between Israel and Iran in a deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Two blasts were heard near the Iranian capital in what Israel described as a retaliatory strike on a radar site.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the strike came in response to missiles launched by Iran three-and-a-half hours after the ceasefire was supposed to begin.
Israeli officials did not clarify whether the response came before or after Netanyahu spoke with Trump.
The ceasefire was reached after 12 days of exchanged rocket fire, which began with an Israeli surprise attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, and just days after the United States joined Israeli strikes.
Iran responded with a barrage of missiles at U.S. and Israeli targets, sparking fears of a wider regional war.
Trump, en route to a NATO summit in The Hague, said he personally intervened to halt the escalation.
“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!” Trump said.
The U.S. president added that he had warned Israel not to proceed with further bombing.
Trump demanded “Israel. Do not drop those bombs. If you do it, it is a major violation. Bring your pilot’s home, now!”
Speaking to reporters Tuesday morning, Trump said, “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f**k they’re doing.”
He added that regime change in Iran is not his objective and reiterated that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.
“Iran’s not going to have a nuclear weapon, by the way. I think it’s the last thing on their mind right now,” said Trump.
In another post to Truth Social Tuesday morning, Trump said: “Both Israel and Iran wanted to stop the War, equally! It was my great honor to Destroy All Nuclear facilities & capability, and then, STOP THE WAR!”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is attending the NATO Summit, issued a statement welcoming the ceasefire.
“Canada welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran,” Carney said. “With the reported reduction in Iran’s nuclear capacity, we urge parties to adhere to the ceasefire, return to the table and negotiate a diplomatic resolution.”
Carney said the federal government hopes the deal leads to broader de-escalation in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.
“We remain in close coordination with our allies to support stability and the safety of civilians across the region.”
Both Carney and Trump will attend the NATO summit in The Hague, where Trump is due to arrive later on Tuesday, and discussions are expected to include the ceasefire in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine.