US President Donald Trump announced that Iran and Israel had agreed to a staggered ceasefire beginning on Tuesday that would bring about an "official end" to the conflict.

"It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE," Trump wrote Monday evening on his Truth Social platform.

There was no immediate comment from Israel.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said early Tuesday there was no agreement on a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. He added that there would be no cessation of hostilities unless Israel stopped its attacks.

"As of now, there is NO 'agreement' on ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards," he added.

There have been no reported Israeli attacks on Iran since that time.

"The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later," Araqchi added in a post on X.

A senior White House official said Trump had brokered the deal in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel had agreed so long as Iran did not launch further attacks.

As outlined by Trump, the ceasefire would be a phased 24-hour process beginning at around 0400 GMT on Tuesday, with Iran unilaterally halting all operations.

Israel would follow suit 12 hours later.

"Upon the 24th hour, an official end to the 12-day war will be saluted by the world," Trump said, adding that both sides had agreed to remain "peaceful and respectful" during each phase of the process.

Trump's announcement came just hours after Iran launched strikes against an American military base in Qatar, which he described as "weak" retaliation for US strikes over the weekend against Iranian nuclear sites.

Trump also said the US was warned by Iran in advance, and there were no casualties.

Qatar has condemned the attack on Al Udeid Air Base as “a flagrant violation" of its sovereignty, airspace and international law, adding that it had intercepted all but one missile.

Iran said the volley matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, and that it had targeted the base because it was outside of populated areas.

Iran and Israel have exchanged wave after wave of air strikes since Israel unleashed a major military offensive on June 13. (Agencies)
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Last updated: 2025-06-24 HKT 10:38