Whirlwind 48 Hours: How Trump’s Israel-Iran Ceasefire Agreement Came Together

President Trump declared a ceasefire between Iran and Israel after a whirlwind 48 hours of negotiations. Both sides expressed dissatisfaction with how events unfolded, leading to ongoing military actions even after the ceasefire announcement. Trump’s frustrations with both nations hinted at deeper diplomatic challenges, as conflicting statements raised doubts about the agreement’s stability.

In a stunning turn of events over just 48 hours, President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel on Tuesday. This came after a series of events that started with accusations of missile strikes by Iran against Israeli airspace. The tensions peaked when Iran claimed that Israel violated the ceasefire spirit, as airstrikes continued after the agreement was expected to take effect.

On Monday, frustration was evident as Trump publicly rebuked both nations. The President’s aides, noticing a shift in sentiment after Tehran’s half-measure responses to U.S. military strikes on its nuclear sites, believed they could leverage this fragility into a ceasefire agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, coming off a lengthy assault against Iranian targets, could convey to the public that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been significantly weakened.

Less than 48 hours into these high-stakes negotiations, Trump took to social media claiming a “Complete and Total CEASEFIRE” was reached. However, details revealed that the ceasefire was primarily focused on halting military actions but did not include any further discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions or economic sanctions.

While Israeli and Iranian officials remained mostly silent following Trump’s proclamation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that some steps were being taken toward a deal. Still, he insisted, “As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations.” This contradiction left uncertainty about commitment from both sides to the ceasefire.

In the wake of Trump’s announcement, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued statements refusing to yield and signaled that conflict might still continue. Meanwhile, Netanyahu confirmed later that day that Israel had, indeed, accepted the ceasefire terms after some back and forth. The initial momentum from Qatar’s prime minister, who facilitated talks, helped bridge the gap between conflicting goals.

Even with the ceasefire announced, strikes were still ongoing. Iran launched attacks toward Israel right before 4 a.m. local time, contradicting Araghchi’s statements. In response, Israel executed airstrikes in central Tehran that targeted Iranian forces, resulting in civilian casualties. Reports confirmed deaths and damages across the region.

Amid this escalating situation, a visibly upset Trump expressed his dissatisfaction over the continued hostilities to reporters. He was especially critical of Israel’s military actions following the announcement. “I’m not happy with them. I’m not happy with Iran, either,” he remarked, suggesting that both countries seemed incapable of rational decision-making after years of fighting.

Directly addressing Israel via social media, Trump warned against further bombings, calling for aircraft to return home immediately. After a firm phone conversation with Netanyahu, the Israeli leader reportedly agreed to moderate their military response. The sense of urgency on both sides ushered in a new phase of uncertainty.

As Trump boarded Air Force One, he once again reassured that the ceasefire was in place and hailed it as a notable achievement for his administration. “It was my great honor to Destroy All Nuclear facilities & capability, and then, STOP THE WAR!” he proclaimed, framing the ceasefire as a pivotal itself for peace in the region.

This rapid diplomatic development illustrates the unpredictable nature of Middle Eastern politics, especially when multiple powerful players are in play.

In summary, President Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel after two intense days of negotiation. While Trump touted the ceasefire as a diplomatic win, conflicting statements from Iranian officials and continued military actions raised questions about the real commitment to peace. Discontent from Trump towards both nations was palpable as the complicated dynamics played out against the backdrop of regional conflicts, showcasing the ongoing volatility in the Middle East.

Original Source: apnews.com