Fragile ceasefire holds as Trump promises peace talks with Iran
The ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump between Iran and Israel appeared to be holding on Wednesday a day after both countries signalled that their air war had ended, at least for now.
Each side claimed victory on Tuesday after 12 days of war, which the US joined with airstrikes in support of Israel to take out Iran's uranium-enrichment facilities.
"We are already talking to each other, not just directly but also through interlocutors. I think that the conversations are promising. We are hopeful that we can have a long-term peace agreement that resurrects Iran," Witkoff said in an interview on Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle" show.
"Now it's for us to sit down with the Iranians and get to a comprehensive peace agreement, and I am very confident that we are going to achieve that," he added.
Trump said over the weekend that US stealth bombers had "obliterated" Iran's programme to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says its enrichment activities are for civilian purposes only.
But Trump's claim appeared to be contradicted by an initial report by one of his administration's intelligence agencies, according to three people familiar with the matter.
One of the sources said Iran's enriched uranium stocks had not been eliminated, and the country's nuclear programme, much of which is buried deep underground, may have been set back only a month or two.
The White House said the intelligence assessment was "flat out wrong."
According to the report, which was produced by the Defense Intelligence Agency, the strikes sealed off the entrances to two of the facilities, but did not collapse underground buildings, said one of the people familiar with its findings.
Some centrifuges remained intact, the Washington Post said, citing an unnamed person familiar with the report.
Trump's administration told the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that its weekend strikes had "degraded" Iran's nuclear programme, short of Trump's assertion that the facilities had been "obliterated."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that the attack had removed the nuclear threat against Israel and he was determined to thwart any attempt by Tehran to revive its weapons program.
"We have removed two immediate existential threats to us: the threat of nuclear annihilation and the threat of annihilation by 20,000 ballistic missiles," he said.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country had successfully ended the war in what he called a "great victory," according to Iranian media.
Pezeshkian also told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Tehran was ready to resolve differences with the U.S., according to official news agency IRNA.
Israel launched the surprise air war on June 13, attacking Iranian nuclear facilities and killing top military commanders in the worst blow to the Islamic Republic since the 1980s war with Iraq.
Iran, which denies trying to build nuclear weapons, retaliated with barrages of missiles on Israeli military sites and cities.
Iran has arrested 700 people accused of ties with Israel during the 12-day conflict, the state-affiliated Nournews reported on Wednesday and Iran executed three men on Wednesday, convicted of collaborating with Israel's Mossad spy agency and smuggling equipment used in an unnamed assassination, the Iranian judiciary's Mizan news agency reported.
Restrictions lifted
Israel's military lifted restrictions on activity across the country at 8 p.m. local time (1700 GMT) on Tuesday, and officials said Ben Gurion Airport, the country's main airport near Tel Aviv, had reopened. Iran's airspace likewise will be reopened, state-affiliated Nournews reported.
Oil prices edged higher on Wednesday, finding some respite after plummeting in the last two sessions, as investors assessed the stability of the ceasefire and the diminished prospect of an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The truce appeared fragile: Both Israel and Iran took hours to acknowledge they had accepted the ceasefire and accused each other of violating it.
Trump scolded both sides but aimed especially stinging criticism at Israel, telling the close US ally to "calm down now." He later said Israel called off further attacks at his command.
Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, said he told his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth, that his country would respect the ceasefire unless Iran violated it.
Pezeshkian likewise said Iran would honour the ceasefire as long as Israel did, according to Iranian media.
Israeli armed forces chief of staff Eyal Zamir said a "significant chapter" of the conflict had concluded but the campaign against Iran was not over.
He said the military would refocus on its war against Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza.
Iranian authorities said 610 people were killed in their country by Israeli strikes and 4,746 injured. Iran's retaliatory bombardment killed 28 people in Israel, the first time its air defences were penetrated by large numbers of Iranian missiles.
World Reactions to ceasefire
According to Al Jazeera's report, World leaders and governments have cautiously welcomed the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump between Israel and Iran, though many remain skeptical about its durability.
The phased agreement, announced early Tuesday, has brought a temporary halt to 12 days of airstrikes and heightened tensions across the region. Yet, the threat of renewed conflict looms, with both sides warning of swift retaliation if the other violates the terms.
Iran's reaction
Iran's Supreme National Security Council declared that its forces had forced Israel to 'unilaterally accept defeat' and agree to the ceasefire.
In a statement reported by Al Jazeera, the Council warned that Iran's military remains on alert and 'will respond to any act of aggression by the enemy.'
Israel's reactions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the country had met its objectives in the surprise June 13 attack aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities. 'Israel has agreed to the President's proposal for a bilateral ceasefire,' Netanyahu said, thanking Trump and the US for their support.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid urged the government to extend the ceasefire to Gaza as well, calling for a focus on rebuilding and recovering hostages.
United States divided reaction
US political reactions were sharply divided. Republican figures praised Trump for brokering the truce. 'President Trump just did what no other president could do,' said Rep. Nancy Mace on X.
Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that Trump's goal was always to create long-term peace in the region. However, Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized Trump's unilateral decision to enter the conflict, calling it 'illegal and unconstitutional.'
Furthermore according to the Associated Press (AP), a Senate briefing on Iran has been rescheduled for June 26 to allow Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to participate, while House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the House briefing has been postponed until Friday.
The delay drew sharp criticism from Democrats.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the postponement 'outrageous,' emphasizing that 'there is a legal obligation for the administration to inform Congress about precisely what is happening.'
He added, 'What are they afraid of? Why won't they engage Congress in the critical details?'
I have just confirmed with the White House that the classified bipartisan briefing for all House Members will now be held on Friday. Senior Administration officials will present the latest information pertaining to the situation involving Israel and Iran. Details to follow.
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) June 24, 2025
Qatar's reaction
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani confirmed Doha's role in helping mediate the ceasefire at the US's request.
While welcoming the truce, he expressed concern over early violations and emphasized that diplomacy must prevail.
He also called for progress in parallel talks for a ceasefire in Gaza, which Qatar and Egypt are jointly mediating.
Egypt and Jordan's reaction
Egypt's Foreign Ministry said the ceasefire 'could represent a turning point' in reducing regional tensions. Jordan echoed that sentiment, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sufyan Qudah urging all sides to prevent further escalation and shift focus to achieving a Gaza ceasefire as well.
Lebanon's reaction
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Abdallah Salim Salam expressed relief that Lebanon avoided being drawn into the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Saudi Arabia's reaction
Riyadh issued a formal statement supporting Trump's ceasefire announcement, stating it welcomed the agreement reached between Israel and Iran.
Russia's reaction
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow welcomed the ceasefire but warned it was too early to judge its sustainability. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed hope for a 'sustainable ceasefire,' according to Al Jazeera.
China's call for dialogue
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed support for Iran's sovereignty and urged all sides to pursue a 'real ceasefire' and equal dialogue. In talks with his Iranian counterpart, he reiterated Beijing's backing for diplomatic solutions, Al Jazeera reported.
European Union reaction
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed cautious optimism and said the ceasefire was an 'important step' towards regional stability. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas added on X that the truce was 'good news but remains fragile,' urging all sides to refrain from further violence.
France and Germany's reaction
France called on Iran to return to negotiations addressing its nuclear and ballistic programs, while Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the ceasefire and thanked regional mediators like Qatar. He noted that the truce, if it holds, 'will make the Middle East and the world safer.'
Airspace reopens across region
Following the ceasefire, airspace restrictions have been lifted across several countries, including Qatar, Iraq, Oman, the UAE, and Syria, marking a cautious return to normalcy after nearly two weeks of heightened military alert.
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