By Emeka Blast 
Trump Announces Breakthrough Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Iran
In a stunning diplomatic breakthrough, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a “Complete and Total CEASEFIRE” between Israel and Iran on August 20, 2025, halting a 12-day conflict that threatened to engulf the Middle East. The fragile truce, brokered through intense negotiations involving Qatar and direct talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, came after a whirlwind 48 hours of U.S. military strikes, Iranian retaliations, and mutual accusations of ceasefire violations. The announcement, made via Trump’s Truth Social platform, has been hailed as a historic achievement, though uncertainties linger about its durability.
The conflict erupted on June 13, 2025, when Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, prompting Tehran to retaliate with missile barrages. Tensions peaked when Trump authorized U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on August 16, a move he claimed “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, though a U.S. intelligence report later suggested the strikes only set it back by months. Iran responded with a missile attack on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which caused no casualties but heightened fears of a broader war.
Trump’s diplomatic push began hours after the Qatar attack, with the President coordinating with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, played a pivotal role as an intermediary, securing Iran’s agreement to the ceasefire proposal. Trump personally spoke with Netanyahu, urging Israel to scale back planned retaliatory strikes, which were reduced to a single attack on a Tehran radar installation, per Axios.
“CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE,” Trump posted on Truth Social at 5:00 GMT on August 20. He described the conflict as “THE 12 DAY WAR,” adding, “This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t!” The phased ceasefire required Iran to halt strikes by midnight ET, followed by Israel 12 hours later, with the war officially ending after 24 hours.
Both sides initially accused each other of violations. Israel claimed Iran fired missiles post-deadline, killing five in Beersheba, while Iran denied the charge, asserting its final strikes occurred before the truce. Trump, visibly frustrated, lashed out at both nations, telling reporters, “They don’t know what the f*** they’re doing,” and ordered Israel not to “drop those bombs” in a fiery Truth Social post. After a call with Netanyahu, Israel refrained from further attacks, and the ceasefire held by August 21, per Reuters.
The truce has sparked global reactions. @AP tweeted, “Trump brokers ceasefire between Israel and Iran, ending 12-day conflict #MiddleEastPeace,” while @NaijaGist posted, “Trump pulls off Israel-Iran ceasefire! Big win or fragile truce? #Geopolitics.” Critics, including Middle East analyst Omar Rahman on Al Jazeera, questioned the lack of clear terms, warning that unaddressed issues like Iran’s nuclear ambitions could unravel the deal. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied a formal agreement but confirmed Tehran would pause attacks if Israel did, per NBC News.
The ceasefire has restored calm, with Israel reopening Ben Gurion Airport and Iran lifting airspace restrictions, per Reuters. However, mutual distrust persists, with Iran’s military vowing a “decisive response” to any Israeli aggression. Trump’s allies, including Rep. Buddy Carter, renewed calls for a Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in averting a regional catastrophe.
