Conflict Between Israel and Iran Continues for 12 Days
Trump's always got a surprise up his sleeve - even his closest allies, including advisors and national leaders, can't predict his moves. Last week, he made a bold announcement on his Truth Social account: a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, nicknamed "The 12-Day War." Here's the lowdown: the ceasefire would start at midnight on the East Coast, kicking off with an Iranian 12-hour truce while wrapping up their final missions, followed by a separate 12-hour truce from Israel, and concluding with a formal end to the conflict after 24 hours.
To say the conflict had heated up would be an understatement. Since late 2023, it stemmed from tensions between Israel and Iran due to the constant attacks by the Tehran-backed Hamas group on Israel. The situation reached boiling point when Israel initiated a series of strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets starting on June 12th, 2025, which Israeli officials described as "preemptive." Iran retaliated with missile attacks, including on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar - a significant U.S. military base - but the missiles were intercepted.
While Trump's announcement sparked hope, neither Israeli nor Iranian officials explicitly confirmed the ceasefire agreement, with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stating the Iranian nation "isn't a nation that surrenders." Nonetheless, U.S. and political figures like Vice President JD Vance framed the ceasefire as an important reset for the region and a victory for both nations, emphasizing the brevity of the conflict compared to what could have been a prolonged war.
Two days before the ceasefire announcement, the U.S. joined Israel's war efforts by striking three Iranian nuclear targets, signaling a significant escalation. Trump's announcement of the ceasefire was confident and optimistic, congratulating both nations for their "Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence" in ending the conflict.
One question lingers: how long will the informal ceasefire last, and how solid is the agreement between Israel and Iran? It's difficult to foresee, but both Israeli and Iranian interests, for their own reasons, seem to be aligned in ending this conflict. As former Clinton Middle East special envoy Dennis Ross put it, "I believe the war will end. Iran in the near future won’t be interested in any conflicts." Even Trump himself remained optimistic, stating, "I believe the ceasefire will be unlimited in time and last forever." He insisted the war between Israel and Iran was over and that both nations no longer would engage in further hostilities.
[1] Coordinating Council on Iran (2025). "Trump Announces Unplanned Ceasefire Between Israel and Iran: 'The 12-Day War' Concludes." Washington, D.C.: White House Press Release.[2] Reuters (2025). "President Trump Announces Surprise Ceasefire Between Israel and Iran, Citing Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence." New York: Reuters News Service.
- The ceasefire between Israel and Iran, known as "The 12-Day War," announced by President Trump, raises questions about political maneuverings and peace efforts amidst ongoing war-and-conflicts in the Middle East.
- As war-and-conflicts between Israel and Iran continue to dominate general-news headlines, the announcement of a potential ceasefire by former President Trump has provoked mixed reactions, with concerns about its sustainability and the influence of politics on the peace process.
