Ceasefire rumors amid escalation: Iran and Israel yet to confirm U.S. claims

Department of Research, Studies and International News 24-06-2025

Amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Iran and the Israeli regime have reached a “complete and total” ceasefire agreement, a claim that, as of yet, lacks confirmation from either Tehran or Tel Aviv.

Trump’s remarks were made public via a social media post late Monday, just hours after a powerful Iranian missile strike targeted the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a hub for American military operations in the region. The strike marked a significant moment in Iran’s response to Israeli aggression and U.S. involvement.

“Assuming all goes as planned, which it will, I extend my congratulations to both countries, Iran and Israel, for having the resilience, courage, and wisdom to bring an end to what should be referred to as ‘The 12-Day War,’” Trump wrote.

He added that this was a war that “could have lasted for years” and “devastated the entire Middle East,” claiming it was now over. He concluded his message with a series of blessings directed at multiple nations, including Iran, Israel, and the United States, a message many analysts interpreted as performative, especially given Washington’s own role in escalating the situation.

Notably, neither the Iranian government nor the Israeli authorities have verified Trump’s statements. On the contrary, developments on the ground suggest otherwise.

From Tehran, journalist Tohid Asadi reported continued hostilities. “Moments ago, explosions were heard across the capital, consistent with missile interception systems being activated. It is clear that Israeli strikes are ongoing, which logically invites further Iranian retaliation,” he said.

This directly contradicts the American narrative of a ceasefire and calls into question Washington’s credibility in reporting on Middle Eastern affairs, particularly given its history of distorting facts to suit its geopolitical interests.

Middle East political analyst Omar Rahman highlighted the vagueness of Trump’s remarks. “The announcement is missing vital context, what terms, what negotiations, what timeline? And more importantly, who is actually party to this so-called agreement?”

Rahman also expressed skepticism given Trump’s track record of misleading claims in favor of Israeli policies. Notably, Trump had previously stated that the U.S. would decide within two weeks whether to join Israel militarily, only to launch strikes on Iran within 48 hours.

He warned that if the Israeli occupation were to carry out a significant last-minute strike, such as an assassination attempt on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the ceasefire claim would unravel entirely. “If that’s the ‘final act’ by Israel, it certainly won’t end the war, quite the opposite,” he said.

The latest round of violence began when Israeli forces initiated large-scale attacks against Iran in the early morning of June 13. The regime claimed the aggression was “preemptive,” citing concerns over Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities. However, the assault resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians and several high-ranking Iranian generals, raising serious questions about the real intent behind the strikes.

Iran responded forcefully, launching hundreds of missiles that penetrated Israeli defenses and caused significant damage to military and civilian infrastructure alike. The Islamic Republic labeled the Israeli move a blatant act of war and a violation of international law, particularly the UN Charter.

In a further escalation, Trump authorized strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. In response, Iran launched a historic missile barrage targeting the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a bold signal that the Islamic Republic will not tolerate further aggression on its sovereignty or its right to peaceful nuclear advancement.

While Trump attempted to downplay the Iranian response as “weak,” regional analysts say otherwise. According to Dr. Liqaa Maki from the Al Jazeera Media Institute, the U.S. is now at a crossroads. “If the American strikes did not result in casualties, Washington might opt to refrain from a direct counterattack. But that doesn’t mean they’ve achieved a political resolution.”

He pointed out that despite targeted strikes, Iran still retains significant quantities of highly enriched uranium and the technical knowledge to develop nuclear capabilities should it choose to do so, though Iran has repeatedly emphasized that its nuclear ambitions are strictly peaceful, unlike Israel, which possesses undeclared nuclear weapons and refuses international oversight.

The real extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities remains unknown. What is certain, however, is that the balance of power in the Middle East is shifting. U.S. attempts to paint itself as a mediator while actively participating in hostilities have lost legitimacy in the eyes of much of the global South, particularly as Russia, China, and Iran continue to deepen strategic cooperation grounded in multipolar principles and regional sovereignty.

Until either Iran or Israel formally acknowledges the ceasefire, Trump’s declaration remains speculative at best, and misleading at worst.