WASHINGTON, Jun 24 (Alliance News): Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran after a series of high-level talks involving key members of his team and both nations’ leaderships, a senior White House official revealed on Monday.
The agreement came just hours after both Israel and Iran threatened fresh attacks, prompting fears of a wider regional conflict.
According to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Israel agreed to halt its military actions provided that Iran refrains from any new aggression. In return, Iran signaled it would not pursue further retaliatory attacks.
The breakthrough was achieved through intensive diplomatic efforts led by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who engaged in direct and indirect negotiations with Iranian counterparts.
Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, Trump declared that a “complete and total” ceasefire would be enforced “in the coming hours,” offering hope for a halt to one of the most volatile flashpoints in recent months.
The crisis escalated over the weekend when Iran launched missiles at a U.S. airbase in response to a surprise American airstrike. U.S. B-2 bombers had dropped 30,000-pound bunker-busting bombs on Iranian underground nuclear sites—an action that marked a dramatic escalation in hostilities. While Iran’s retaliatory missile strike caused no casualties, the episode triggered global alarm.
According to the official, Trump wasted no time in launching diplomatic efforts to defuse the situation. “He directed his team on Saturday night: ‘Let’s get on the phone with the Iranians… Get me Bibi [Netanyahu]. We’re going to make peace,'” the official quoted Trump as saying.
Despite earlier failed attempts at negotiation—reportedly five rounds of backchannel talks in recent weeks—Trump’s decision to initiate talks again following the U.S. bombing campaign appeared to signal a shift in strategy.
The turning point came after Iran dropped its insistence on continuing uranium enrichment, which had previously stalled progress.
Trump’s actions mark a significant departure from his previous stance of avoiding military entanglements abroad.
His decision to bomb Iran’s nuclear infrastructure had surprised many, especially his core political base that champions non-interventionism under the “Make America Great Again” doctrine.
Observers noted that the ceasefire may help Trump quell internal political backlash and bolster his image as a dealmaker and peacemaker—an identity he has cultivated over years.
The White House official stressed that Trump had “shown restraint” and underscored that U.S. national interests remained central to the administration’s handling of the crisis.
The Israeli side, represented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been vocal in advocating for a strong U.S. response to Iranian military threats.
The success of the ceasefire could also benefit Netanyahu politically, as it removes immediate pressure for further escalation while preserving Israeli strategic objectives.
The United Nations and European Union welcomed the development cautiously, urging all parties to adhere to the ceasefire terms and to pursue long-term diplomatic engagement to prevent further conflict.
Analysts say that if the ceasefire holds, it could be a pivotal moment in Middle East diplomacy, avoiding what many feared could have spiraled into a regional war with global repercussions.
