U.S. President Donald Trump introduced on June 24 {that a} ceasefire between Iran and Israel had come into impact, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear amenities and retaliatory assault on U.S. navy base in Qatar.
"The ceasefire is now in impact. Please don’t violate it!" Trump mentioned in a publish on Reality Social on June 24.
The announcement follows days of intensifying battle after the U.S. performed airstrikes on Iranian nuclear amenities on June 21, concentrating on websites in Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
In response, Iran launched a number of missiles at U.S. navy bases within the area, together with not less than 10 towards the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and not less than one towards a base in Iraq, Axios reported, citing an Israeli supply.
The Pentagon confirmed that Iran fired a number of short- and medium-range missiles at Al Udeid, however mentioned no American personnel have been harmed. Trump downplayed the assault, calling it "restricted and largely ineffective."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned on June 24 that Israel has agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Iran, thanking Trump for his help in defending Israel and "eradicating the Iranian nuclear risk," in keeping with Reuters.
"Israel has achieved its objective of eradicating the Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile risk," Netanyahu mentioned in a press release. "Israel thanks President Trump for his help and participation in eradicating the Iranian nuclear risk."
Iran is a key arms provider to Russia, offering Shahed drones utilized in assaults on Ukrainian cities and pledging to ship ballistic missiles. Israel, whereas dwelling to a big Russian-speaking inhabitants, has not joined Western sanctions in opposition to Moscow.
Tensions between Iran and Israel had already been rising after Iran launched missile strikes on Tel Aviv and different Israeli cities on June 13, killing a number of civilians, together with 5 Ukrainian nationals. The assault got here in retaliation for Israeli navy motion.
Trump, who has lengthy styled himself as a dealmaker and peacemaker, has come beneath criticism for his failure to ship on guarantees to succeed in a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Throughout his electoral marketing campaign, he pledged to finish the battle between Russia and Ukraine inside 24 hours of taking workplace. Greater than 100 days after Ukraine accepted a U.S.-backed proposal for a ceasefire, no progress has been made.
"It has been precisely 100 days since Ukraine unconditionally accepted the U.S. peace proposal to utterly stop fireplace, put an finish to the killing, and transfer ahead with a real peace course of," Ukrainian Overseas Minister Andrii Sybiha mentioned on June 19. "Russia continues to decide on battle."
Ukraine backed the proposal throughout talks in Jeddah on March 11, agreeing to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. Russia has rejected the provide, persevering with its assault on Ukrainian cities and pushing for maximalist calls for.
"It’s time to act now and pressure Russia to peace," Sybiha mentioned. "Peace by power, elevated sanctions, and enhanced capabilities for Ukraine."
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk