logo
Trump congratulates himself on Israel-Iran ceasefire that remains highly uncertain

Trump congratulates himself on Israel-Iran ceasefire that remains highly uncertain

LeMonde3 hours ago

Not having to follow the rules of consistency offers a lot of flexibility. The message posted by Donald Trump on Monday, June 23, on his Truth Social platform broke all the rules. Shortly after 6 pm, the US president announced, by himself, the conclusion of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
It was the middle of the night in the Middle East. Trump, meanwhile, claimed that both parties to the conflict – and it is legitimate to include the United States – would gradually cease hostilities after final exchanges. "CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE!" he exclaimed, as if this were a children's sporting contest where the effort was more important than the result. Meanwhile, massive explosions were heard in Tehran, before Iranian missiles were launched toward Israel, killing at least four people in Beersheba, in the south of the country. But by Tuesday morning, Iran and Israel had both accepted the cease-fire.
Exactly 48 hours after the announcement of US bombings on three Iranian nuclear sites (Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordo), Trump outlined the choreography of peace, negotiated via Qatar. Iran would first take the off-ramp, and after 12 hours of ceasefire, Israel would join in, bringing "an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR," as Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, trying to give the war a name for posterity.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Israel hails 'tremendous victory' over Iran as focus shifts back to Gaza hostages
Israel hails 'tremendous victory' over Iran as focus shifts back to Gaza hostages

LeMonde

timean hour ago

  • LeMonde

Israel hails 'tremendous victory' over Iran as focus shifts back to Gaza hostages

Israel woke up to the sound of alerts on Tuesday, June 24. First, cell phone notifications announced that Donald Trump had brokered an overnight ceasefire between Iran, Israel and the United States. Then, air raid sirens from the civil defense warned of incoming Iranian missiles headed toward Israel. Shortly after 8:30 am local time, the Israeli government announced that it had "achieved all of the objectives" of the operation and had agreed in principle to a ceasefire with Iran. "Israel has removed from over it a double existential threat – on both the nuclear issue and regarding ballistic missiles," the government said in a statement issued after a meeting of the security cabinet, the chief of the General Staff and the head of Mossad. The military "also achieved complete air superiority in the skies over Tehran, struck a severe blow to the military leadership and destroyed dozens of Iran's main regime targets," the statement added, describing it as a "tremendous victory." Hostilities continued up to the final moments before the theoretical start of the ceasefire at 7 am (Israeli time). Between 5 am and 7 am, Iran launched six successive missile barrages, forcing millions of Israelis into shelters. One missile struck a seven-story residential building in Beersheba, in the south of the country, killing four people and injuring about 20 others, according to a preliminary tally.

What satellite images reveal about US strikes in Iran
What satellite images reveal about US strikes in Iran

LeMonde

timean hour ago

  • LeMonde

What satellite images reveal about US strikes in Iran

Fourteen ultra-penetrating GBU-57 bombs, each weighing 13 metric tons. According to the United States, these were dropped for the first time in an operational context on two key nuclear sites in Iran on the night of Saturday, June 21. More than 20 Tomahawk cruise missiles were also launched from a US submarine at a third nuclear site in Isfahan. Were these facilities "fully obliterated," as US President Donald Trump claimed on the night of the attack? Satellite images and experts interviewed by Le Monde suggest that while there is evidence of these strikes on the surface, it is still difficult to assess the full extent of the damage where the most critical parts of Iran's nuclear program are located: underground. Fordo

What to do if your flight is affected by the Middle East conflict
What to do if your flight is affected by the Middle East conflict

Euronews

timean hour ago

  • Euronews

What to do if your flight is affected by the Middle East conflict

Israel's missile attacks on Iran on 13 June and the subsequent retaliations have thrown air travel in the Middle East into chaos. Airspace across Iran, Iraq, Israel and Jordan has been subject to closures - some ongoing - and thousands of flights have been cancelled or rerouted. Following bombings ordered by President Donald Trump on three Iranian nuclear and military sites over the weekend, Iran on Monday launched a missile attack on US forces at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base. Qatar had closed its airspace just hours earlier, after both the US and UK urged their citizens there to shelter in place. Flights have been cancelled to Dubai International Airport and Doha's Hamad International Airport, with thousands of passengers left stranded or rerouted to other destinations. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport is closed until further notice, and major carriers including Emirates, Lufthansa, Air France, United, and Delta have suspended flights to the region. If you have a trip planned to affected countries, here's what you need to know about travel insurance and passenger rights. You can find full information about airspace closures and cancelled flights here. What is the latest government advice for travelling to the Middle East? The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issued a string of advisories on Friday, 13 June, warning travellers visiting Middle Eastern and North African destinations about rising tensions in the region. It included popular tourist destinations such as Cyprus, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates. "Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region," the UK FCDO said. Warnings were also issued for Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Travellers have been told to 'monitor local and international media for the latest information' and 'be vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities'. The UK FCDO has now advised against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories amid ongoing missile attacks. The FCDO also advises against all travel to Iran, warning that "British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention". Foreign ministries in other European countries, including France and Germany, have also issued similar warnings against travel to Israel and Iran. The FCDO updated its advice for the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, warning that the conflict could result in short-notice airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights, and other unanticipated travel impacts. It also noted that the US has now lifted the advice to shelter in place in Qatar, issued to its citizens on 23 June. "British nationals do not need to shelter in place and should continue to follow advice from the local authorities," it added. What are my passenger rights if I have a trip planned to the Middle East? If you were planning to travel to the region, you do have some options to get your money back or reschedule your flight. 'For anyone who was hoping to travel to the region over the coming weeks and months, as it has been deemed unsafe to travel, it's likely that airlines will cancel the flight and offer an alternative,' says Ernesto Suarez, CEO of travel insurance provider Gigasure. This usually means you can choose between travelling on a different flight or receiving a refund. British Airways, for example, has said passengers with bookings to Dubai and Doha up to Tuesday 24 June can postpone their trips up to 4 July by calling the airline. 'However, passengers must be aware that as this is a disruption outside of airlines' control, they may not be entitled to any compensation,' Suarez adds. The exception is if you receive less than 14 days' notice of cancellation, in which case you may be able to claim compensation. Travellers with adequate travel insurance should have financial protection if all, or part of, their trip is delayed, cancelled, or cut short due to the airstrikes. 'If the customer bought extended travel disruption cover, they should be covered for the abandonment of their trip and/or additional costs if they must move accommodation or extend their stay,' Suarez says. 'Customers should check their policy wording for full details.'' What are my rights if I am stuck in Doha or Dubai? If you have already flown to the region and are now stranded in Doha or Dubai, you are entitled to support from the airline. This should include meals and accommodation if necessary. The airline is also obligated to rebook you on the next possible flight, including with another carrier. When it comes to travel insurance, Suarez says passengers whose return is affected by the flight cancellations should contact their airline to determine their options. "You may find that travel insurance is automatically extended until you can return home," he adds. "Travellers should check their policy documents to ascertain what cover they may or may not have.' Am I covered by travel insurance if I travel to Iran or Israel? Foreign offices warn that your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against their advice. This means going to areas where they have issued a 'no-go' warning or advise against all but essential travel. That currently covers both Iran and Israel. If you do so, you are likely to be left without coverage for incidents, including medical emergencies and evacuations. It may also mean that if you are arrested or put in detention, your country's embassy or officials have limited ability to help you. If you have booked with a travel agent or tour operator, contact the company directly to understand your options. My flight was cancelled to Israel. How can I get back? For travellers stranded overseas and looking for a way to return to Israel, the nation's flag carrier El Al is reportedly planning one-way 'recovery flights' from several destinations. The airline said in a statement that it is finalising the list of destinations and the number of flights that it can operate. 'Currently, registration is open for customers whose flights to Israel are cancelled since the closure of Israeli airspace and who are currently abroad,' it said. 'Once registration is approved, customers will be contacted via email or text message with updates, including instructions and flight assignments, subject to government approval to operate the flights.' The carrier added that recovery flights will be operated gradually. 'We recommend preparing for extended stays and keeping receipts for accommodation and related expenses,' it advised. 'Eligibility for reimbursement will be reviewed in accordance with legal guidelines.' EU countries organise evacuations for citizens in Israel Several European countries have been evacuating their citizens from Israel. Poland has said it will transport around 200 nationals by bus to Jordan, from where they will fly to Warsaw. The Czech Foreign Ministry has advised citizens who are interested in repatriation to report to the embassy in Tel Aviv. According to Czech media, 70 nationals have already travelled to a neighbouring country where they will then catch a flight home. Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre began citizen evacuations by land last week. Germany has evacuated citizens from Israel via Jordan's capital, Amman, to meet charter flights. 'Germans in Israel who are registered on the Elefand crisis preparedness list have been informed about this option and the details,' a spokesperson said. Cyprus has received requests to assist in the evacuation of citizens of Portugal and Slovakia, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said last week. 'There are two active requests,' Kombos said, as reported by Reuters. 'Obviously this very much depends on the access of their civilians to neighbouring countries by road.' The EU has also triggered measures to assist with evacuations. "We have activated the Civil Protection Mechanism (CPM), and we are assisting member states to evacuate their citizens who wish to leave," the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said after an emergency meeting of foreign ministers on Tuesday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store