‘Let's get on the phone’: How Trump brokered Israel-Iran ‘ceasefire’

Donald Trump

A senior White House official said US President Donald Trump brokered a 'ceasefire' agreement between Israel and Iran. He said that the same was achieved through Trump’s talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday while the President’s team, including Vice President JD Vance held talks with Tehran, Reuters reported.

Sharing details of the ceasefire on condition of anonymity, the official told Reuters that Israel agreed to it so long as Iran does not launch fresh attacks. Iran signaled that no further attacks would take place, the official said.

The official stated that Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US special envoy Steve Witkoff had direct and indirect communications with Iran.

Trump announced the ceasefire deal on his Truth Social platform, saying, “Congratulations to everyone! 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 further stated that the war could have gone for years and destroyed the entire Middle East but “it didn’t and never will”.

In a separate post, Trump claimed that Iran and Israel reached out to him at almost the same time for peace.

How Trump led the ceasefire talk between Israel and Iran

Trump’s announcement over the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran came moments after both sides threatened new attacks.

Iran launched missiles against a US air base, causing no casualties, after US bombers dropped 30,000-pound bunker-busters on Iranian underground nuclear facilities over the weekend.

The White House official cited by Reuters said Trump called for talks with Israel and Iran soon after the US strikes.

"He directed his team on Saturday night: 'Let's get on the phone… with the Iranians,'" the official said. "'Get me Bibi. We're going to make peace,'" the official said, quoting Trump.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi meanwhile dismissed reports of a ceasefire agreement with Israel after Trump's announcement. In a post on X, Araghchi reiterated that the current conflict was initiated by Israel, "not the other way around." He emphasised that Iran has no intention to continue with the conflict unless the Israeli regime "stops its illegal aggression."

"As Iran has repeatedly made clear, Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around. As of now, there is NO "agreement" on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards. The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later," he said earlier.

In a separate post, Araghchi hinted at a ceasefire saying, "The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am. Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute."