Trump Announces Israel-Iran Ceasefire, Iran Denies Deal
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media that Israel and Iran have agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire,” set to begin within the next six hours. According to Trump, the agreement includes two consecutive 12-hour ceasefire windows. If the truce holds, the war—now entering its third week—will be officially declared over after 24 hours.
Trump hailed the development as a major diplomatic victory, stating that the ceasefire “is a result of strong leadership and the desire for peace on both sides.” The president’s post sparked cautious optimism across global capitals and markets, with early reactions reflecting hope for an end to a conflict that has claimed hundreds of lives and pushed the region to the brink of a larger war.
However, within hours of Trump’s announcement, a senior Iranian official contradicted the statement, saying Tehran had not received any formal ceasefire proposal. Speaking to Iranian state media, the official added that “no binding diplomatic communication has taken place” and that Iran remains “in a defensive posture.” This divergence has raised questions about the validity and enforcement of the ceasefire Trump outlined.
The confusion comes amid high-level diplomatic activity behind closed doors, with Qatar, Oman, and Switzerland believed to be involved in backchannel negotiations. Israeli officials have not yet issued a formal response to Trump’s claim, although sources suggest discussions around a temporary cessation of hostilities had been taking place through multiple intermediaries.
The proposed ceasefire would mark the first sustained pause in fighting since Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure and Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory. U.S. forces also conducted strikes on three key Iranian sites earlier this week, intensifying the crisis.
While Trump continues to position himself as a peacemaker, the gap between his announcement and Iran’s denial reflects the fragile and fluid nature of the situation. Analysts caution that a successful ceasefire will depend on mutual verification mechanisms and credible guarantees from all sides involved.
The next 24 hours will be critical. If the ceasefire proceeds as Trump described, it could open a pathway to longer-term de-escalation and diplomatic talks. If not, it may deepen mistrust and prolong the instability engulfing the Middle East.
