Washington / Tehran / Tel Aviv – In the early hours of June 24, 2025, the war between Israel and Iran seemed to have reached a turning point – at least according to U.S. President Donald Trump. On his platform Truth Social, he announced with great fanfare that Israel and Iran had agreed to a "complete and unlimited ceasefire." While Trump praised the "courage, stamina, and intelligence of both countries" and spoke of a "peace deal for eternity," the situation in Tehran remained anything but clear. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated unequivocally in a public post on X (formerly Twitter) that there was "no agreement on a ceasefire or cessation of military operations." However, he did indicate a crucial condition: if Israel were to cease its attacks on Iranian territory by no later than 4 a.m. local time, Tehran would see "no necessity" for further retaliatory strikes. The final decision on ending military operations, however, would be left to the discretion of the high command at a later time. This statement coincided with massive explosions in Tehran. Eyewitnesses described the heaviest strikes since the beginning of Israel's bombing campaign twelve days earlier. The Israeli army had previously issued evacuation warnings for several districts of the Iranian capital and announced that it would continue targeting the regime’s military infrastructure. An official Israeli confirmation of the alleged ceasefire has yet to materialize.
Behind the scenes of this diplomatic chess match, a dramatic scenario unfolded: the night before, Iran had fired rockets at the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, Al-Udeid in Qatar – in response to the involvement of American forces in the Israeli attacks. The government in Doha later stated that its air defense had successfully intercepted the rockets and that there were no casualties. According to Reuters, Iran had even informed Qatari authorities of the attack in advance. At the same time, the news agency reported, citing diplomatic sources, that Qatar had played a key role in brokering the (still unofficial) ceasefire. The Qatari prime minister had reportedly secured Iran’s agreement in a phone call with Tehran. A senior White House official stated that Israel had agreed to the ceasefire – on the condition that Iran would refrain from further attacks. Iran, in turn, had signaled to the United States that no new missile strikes were planned.
The dramatic eve of this fragile peace was marked by an unprecedented military operation by the United States. Under the codename "Midnight Hammer," American B-2 bombers struck three Iranian nuclear facilities – Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Trump boasted afterward that the facilities had been "completely and totally obliterated." However, international experts expressed doubts: Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated on Monday that while "very significant damage" to the underground sections of Fordow was to be expected, the exact extent remained unclear. The facility lies deep within a mountain and is equipped with highly sensitive centrifuges, whose function can be impaired even by the slightest vibrations. In response to the attacks, Iran’s parliamentary national security committee convened. The result: a draft law aimed at fully suspending cooperation with the IAEA. If the security of Iran’s nuclear facilities cannot be guaranteed, Iran would no longer allow inspectors, would no longer permit surveillance cameras, and would no longer submit reports to the UN – a dangerous step back into isolation. Whether the war will actually end or enter a new, even more uncontrollable phase remains uncertain. What is certain is this: Donald Trump’s declaration of victory may serve him politically – but the reality on the ground, beneath the skies of Tehran, paints a picture no less explosive than the rockets falling there.
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