Uncertainty shrouds Israel-Iran ceasefire as attacks persist after Trump announcement

Yemen Online

8 hours ago

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a 'complete and total ceasefire", but its status remained unclear as attacks continued Tuesday.
Trump's announcement came soon after Iran launched a limited missile attack Monday on a US military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites .
Iran's foreign minister said that as long as Israel stopped its attacks by 4am local Tehran time Tuesday, Iran would halt its own. But nearly an hour after that deadline, Israel's military warned its public that Iran had launched missiles towards it as sirens sounded. At least one missile interception could be seen over the skies of Jerusalem and warnings of three further attacks followed as day broke.
What appeared to be a residential building in southern Israel sustained heavy damage, according to an image released by Israel's Fire and Rescue Services. The face of the large 7-story building appeared blown off.
It's unclear what the detected missile launches would do for the ceasefire's timeline.
Trump's announcement on Truth Social said the ceasefire wouldn't begin until about midnight Tuesday Eastern time. He said it would bring an 'Official END' to the war.
Israel doesn't confirm ceasefire but appears to pause strikes
Israel did not immediately acknowledge any ceasefire, but there were no reports of Israeli strikes in Iran after 4 a.m. local. Heavy Israeli strikes continued in Tehran and other cities until shortly before that time. Israel in other conflicts has stepped up its strikes just before ceasefires took effect.
'As of now, there is NO 'agreement' on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations,' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in a post on X. '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.'
His message was posted at 4:16am Tehran time. Araghchi added: 'The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.'
The Israeli military declined to comment on Trump's ceasefire statement and the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Trump describes conflict as '12 Day War'
Trump gave the conflict between Israel and Iran a name: the '12 Day War". That recalls the 1967 Mideast war, known by some as the 'Six Day War,' in which Israel fought a group of Arab countries including Egypt, Jordan and Syria.
Trump's reference carries emotional weight for the Arab world, particularly Palestinians. In the 1967 war, Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem from Jordan, the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, and the Golan Heights from Syria. Though Israel later gave the Sinai back to Egypt, it still holds the other territories.
Trump communicated directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the ceasefire, according to a senior White House official who insisted on anonymity to discuss the Monday talks. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff communicated with the Iranians through direct and indirect channels.
The White House has maintained that the Saturday bombing helped get the Israelis to agree to the ceasefire and that the Qatari government helped to broker the deal.
It's unclear what role Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's leader, played in the talks. He said earlier on social media that he would not surrender.
Iran attack against US implied willingness to de-escalate
Iran attacked a U.S. base in Qatar on Monday, but appeared to indicate it was prepared to reduce tensions. The US was warned by Iran in advance, and there were no casualties, said Trump, who dismissed the attack as a 'very weak response".
Qatar condemned the attack on Al Udeid Air Base as 'a flagrant violation" of its sovereignty, airspace and international law. Qatar said it intercepted all but one missile, though it was not clear if that missile caused any damage.
Iran said the volley matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend. Iran also said it targeted the base because it was outside of populated areas.
Qatar Maj. Gen. Shayeq Al Hajri said 19 missiles were fired at the base that is home to the Combined Air Operations Center, which provides command and control of air power across the region, as well as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the largest such wing in the world. Trump said 14 missiles were fired, 13 were knocked down and one was 'set free' because it posed no threat.
Iran announced the attack on state television, with a caption calling it 'a mighty and successful response" to "America's aggression.'