Shortly after, Iranian state-run media announced that the ceasefire had begun following “four waves of Iranian attacks on Israeli-occupied territories”. Trump then took to his Truth Social platform, requesting both sides not to violate the ceasefire.

Tehran’s initial dismissal of a ceasefire deal was followed by a cryptic post from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in which he appeared to signal an end to active hostilities.

“The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4 am. 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,” Araghchi said.

The statement came shortly after Araghchi said Iran had “no interest” in further conflict, provided Israel halted what Tehran called its “illegal aggression”.

Earlier, Araghchi had laid down a clear condition: “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”.

In the early hours of Tuesday (Indian Time), Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce what he called a “complete and total ceasefire” between Iran and Israel. The surprise declaration came just 48 hours after he ordered strikes on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities.

Trump said the ceasefire would begin approximately six hours after his announcement — at 9.30 am IST — once both countries had completed their “final missions”. He, however, did not clarify what these final operations entailed. According to him, Iran would initiate the ceasefire, followed by Israel 12 hours later, with hostilities officially ending within 24 hours.

TRUMP PRAISES ISRAEL, IRAN FOR ENDING WAR WITH COURAGE

The US President lavished praise on both countries for what he described as their “stamina, courage, and intelligence” in agreeing to halt the war. He said, “This is a war that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will!”

“This is a war that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t and never will!” the US President said.

He ended his message with a characteristic flourish: “God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!”

Citing diplomatic sources, news agency Reuters reported that Tehran had agreed to a Qatar-mediated ceasefire proposal pushed by the US. The agreement was reportedly reached just minutes after both Iran and Israel threatened fresh escalations.

IRAN HITS US BASES IN QATAR

Despite ceasefire talks, Iran launched missile attacks on US military bases in Qatar and Iraq shortly after Trump’s announcement. The US President, in his post, dismissed the strikes as a “very weak” and ‘expected’ response. He claimed Iran had fired 14 missiles, of which 13 were intercepted, while one was allowed through after being deemed non-lethal.

Earlier in the day, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had posted a defiant message on social media. Sharing an image of a burning American flag against a backdrop of ruined buildings, he wrote, “We didn’t harm anyone. And we will not accept any harassment from anyone under any circumstances. And we will not submit to anyone’s harassment. This is the logic of the Iranian nation”.