A fragile calm appears to be descending on the Middle East after 12 days of intense fighting between Israel and Iran, with US President Donald Trump declaring a ceasefire is now in effect. However, confirmation from the Iranian side remains elusive, underscoring the precariousness of the situation.
President Trump announced early Tuesday that a "complete and total ceasefire" had been agreed upon by Israel and Iran, urging both nations to uphold it. This declaration follows a period of escalating hostilities, which saw Iran launch multiple missile volleys at Israel, tragically resulting in at least four fatalities in the southern city of Beersheba.
Despite the US President's definitive statement, official confirmation from Tehran has yet to materialize. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a recent social media post, indicated that while Tehran has "no intention to continue our response" if Israel halts its "illegal aggression" by 4 AM Tehran time (00:30 GMT), a formal ceasefire agreement has not been reached. He stated that the "final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later."
The absence of reported Israeli strikes in Tehran over the past few hours offers a glimmer of hope that a de-escalation is indeed underway, aligning with President Trump's assertion of a truce. However, Iranian officials have also warned that any renewed attacks against the country will be met with retaliation.
The past twelve days have witnessed a significant escalation, with Iran reporting over 400 casualties, including 13 children, since Israel initiated its attacks on June 13th. In Israel, Iranian strikes have claimed at least 24 lives. The conflict had broadened recently with Iran also targeting a US military base in Qatar in retaliation for US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, according to Al Jazeera.
As the region holds its breath, the effectiveness and longevity of this undeclared ceasefire will depend heavily on the actions and communication of all parties involved in the coming hours. The diplomatic efforts to solidify a lasting peace remain paramount in this highly volatile situation.