After intense attacks, Israel and Iran agree ceasefire

International

AFTER 12 days of escalating conflict that drew in the United States and threatened wider regional instability, Israel and Iran on Tuesday accepted a ceasefire plan brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The agreement followed a final exchange of hostilities that saw Iranian missiles kill at least four people in Israel and Israeli airstrikes targeting critical sites across Iran.

The acceptance of the truce came after intense diplomatic efforts, with U.S. officials including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff engaging with Iranian counterparts through both direct and indirect channels.

Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also played a key role in securing Tehran's agreement.

In a report by Associated Press, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel's acceptance of the bilateral ceasefire, stating that Israel had achieved all of its war goals.

These goals, according to Netanyahu, included neutralizing the threat of Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, significantly damaging Iran's military leadership and government sites, and establishing control over Tehran's skies.

He warned that Israel would respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire.

The final hours before the ceasefire were marked by intense attacks. Heavy Israeli strikes continued in Iranian cities until shortly before 4 a.m. local time, followed by Iranian barrages that sent Israelis into bomb shelters as dawn broke.

Police reported that Iranian missiles damaged at least 3 densely packed residential buildings in Beersheba, with 4 bodies recovered from one structure.

Overall, Iran launched between 550 ballistic missiles and around 1,000 drones at Israel during the war, with an interception rate of around 90 percent. At least 31 ballistic missile impacts were reported in populated areas or critical infrastructure sites in Israel.

Despite the initial agreement, the ceasefire experienced a rocky start.

Trump publicly expressed frustration, accusing both sides of violating the truce. "THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!"

He wrote on Truth Social, reportedly telling Netanyahu in a "firm and direct" phone call to "tone it down" and "bring your pilots home, now!" after Israel conducted further strikes following the announced ceasefire.

Iranian state television reported the ceasefire went into effect at 7:30 a.m. Tehran time.(Angela Sarabosing, CNU Communication Intern)