Israel-Iran ceasefire: Trump’s post took his administration by surprise, says top US official; who else helped crack deal?

Prior to his post on Truth Social, Trump held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian officials, facilitated by Qatar’s mediation. The official, who requested anonymity, said that Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani played a crucial role in the ceasefire discussions.

The mediation took place after the US forces at the Al Udeid air base in Qatar came under attack overnight. Qatar said that it intercepted all 14 missiles successfully.

According to the official, Trump’s push for a ceasefire was backed by his key officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was also one of the key contributors as he led the efforts over the past two months to negotiate a deal that would curb Iran’s nuclear program.

The three worked through both direct and indirect channels to reach Iranians, said the official.

Trump called for talks with both Israel and Iran, soon after the US strikes hit Tehran’s key nuclear infrastructure.

“He directed his team on Saturday night: ‘Let’s get on the phone .. with the Iranians,'” news agency Reuters quoted the senior White House official as saying. “Get me Bibi. We’re going to make peace,” Trump said, according to the official.

Netanyahu agrees to ceasefire

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said “no agreement” had been reached soon after Trump’s announcement. Tehran went on to launch about six fresh waves of strikes on Israel, which killed four in Beersheba. Later, Iranian state media announced that the ceasefire had begun.

Shortly after, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who hadn’t said anything earlier, confirmed the acceptance of the ceasefire. The deal was agreed upon after it achieved its goal of removing Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile threat, his office said in a statement.

“In light of the achievement of the operation’s objectives, and in full coordination with President Trump, Israel has agreed to the president’s proposal for a bilateral ceasefire,” Netanyahu’s office said, adding that Israel “will respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire.”

Trump declares ‘complete and total ceasefire’ 

The US president on Monday (June 23) said that Israel and Iran have agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire”, that will be phased in over 24 hours.

His social media post announcing the truce came hours after Iran launched its retaliatory missile salvo targeting the US’ Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

“It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED! Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World. During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL,” he wrote in a post on his Truth Social handle.

“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,”” he added.

He later, in a post on Truth Social, reiterated that the ceasefire was now “in effect” and called on both sides to “not violate it”.

— With inputs from NYT and Reuters