Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to adhere to a fragile ceasefire with Iran, following a heated intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump. The ceasefire, aimed at halting 12 days of intense conflict between Israel and Iran, faced immediate challenges as both sides accused each other of violations shortly after its announcement. Trump’s outspoken frustration, punctuated by a public expletive-laden rant, underscored his determination to enforce the truce, culminating in a direct phone call with Netanyahu that prompted Israel to scale back planned airstrikes.
The ceasefire, brokered by Trump, was announced on Monday night, with a 12-hour initial truce followed by a complete cessation of hostilities, dubbed by Trump as the end of the “12 Day War.” However, tensions flared when Israel launched pre-dawn strikes on an Iranian radar installation, claiming Iran had fired missiles in violation of the truce—a claim Tehran denied. Iranian media reported that air defenses were activated in response, while Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, ordered immediate retaliation on Tehran. These actions threatened to unravel the delicate agreement, prompting Trump to take to Truth Social with a stern warning: “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!”
Trump’s fury peaked during a press interaction before departing for a NATO summit, where he expressed exasperation with both nations, stating, “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing.” His subsequent call with Netanyahu, described as direct and forceful, led to Israel refraining from further attacks. A statement from Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel had achieved its war goals, including neutralizing Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile threats, and expressed confidence in the ceasefire’s stability, reflecting Trump’s influence in de-escalating the situation.
Retired Brigadier General John Teichert, speaking on America’s Newsroom, emphasized the strategic advantage Israel gained in the conflict, noting that Israel’s ability to strike any target at any time provides a strong deterrent. He suggested that Iran, aware of this capability, has little incentive to violate the ceasefire. Teichert pointed to Iran’s attack on a U.S. base in Qatar as a face-saving gesture, noting that Iran provided prior warning, allowing U.S. forces to disperse assets and avoid significant damage. “They were doing something to save face and quickly accepted the off-ramp to the ceasefire,” Teichert said.
The ceasefire’s fragility remains a concern, with both sides exchanging accusations of violations. Iranian state media reported the death of nuclear scientist Mohammad Reza Seddighi Saber in an Israeli strike, while Israel claimed to have targeted missile launchers and killed hundreds of Basij militants. Despite these incidents, the truce appears to be holding, with Israel’s defense minister stating that Israel will respect the ceasefire as long as Iran does.
Trump’s assertive diplomacy has drawn mixed reactions. While some praise his “peace through strength” approach, others question the effectiveness of U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, with a Pentagon report indicating that the damage may only set Iran’s program back by months. Trump dismissed these assessments as “flat-out wrong,” insisting that the strikes were a success.
Netanyahu’s decision to back down highlights the complex dynamics between Israel and the U.S., with Trump’s influence proving pivotal. As the ceasefire holds, the international community watches closely, hoping for a lasting de-escalation. However, the underlying tensions and mutual distrust between Israel and Iran suggest that maintaining peace will require ongoing vigilance and diplomatic pressure from Washington.
