Israel, Iran reach ceasefire after 12-day conflict: Trump

June 24, 2025 (MLN): Israel and Iran have reached a ceasefire agreement following 12 days of warfare, according to an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump on June 23.

This development came just a day after Pope Leo XIV cautioned world leaders that they were nearing an “irreparable abyss.”

The ceasefire would be phased in over the next 24 hours as both nations completed “their in progress, final missions", said Trump on his social media platform, Truth Social.

He described the agreement as bringing an “Official END” to the war.

“During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL,” Trump wrote.

“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, ‘THE 12 DAY WAR.’”, he added.

“This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will!”, he further noted.

“God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!”, Trump noted.

Neither Israel nor Iran immediately confirmed the agreement.

Israel began strikes against Iran on June 13, characterizing the action as a “preemptive” move to halt Iran’s potential development of nuclear weapons.

On June 21, the United States entered the conflict under Trump’s direction, targeting three nuclear facilities in Iran.

Trump’s ceasefire announcement followed Iran’s retaliatory strike against a U.S. military base in Qatar.

Describing the attack as “very weak,” Trump suggested in a separate post that he would not respond with further military action.

“I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done,” he said.

“Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their ‘system,’ and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE”, he noted.

He also noted that Iran may have given the U.S. “early notice” of the missile strike, preventing casualties.

“Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same,” Trump added.

The announcement came on the heels of a solemn appeal from Pope Leo XIV, who on June 22 urged global leaders to step back from the brink.

During his Angelus address, the Pope said world leaders bore a “moral responsibility” to “stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss.”