Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced his country’s acceptance of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for a mutual ceasefire with Iran.
The statement comes shortly after waves of missile launches by Iran killed at least four people in Israel, prompting renewed international focus on escalating tensions in the Middle East.
“Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defence and their participation in eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat,” read the official statement released by Netanyahu’s office on Tuesday. The ceasefire follows joint U.S.-Israeli operations over the weekend targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities amid growing fears of Tehran’s capabilities.
President Trump confirmed the ceasefire, urging both nations to respect the truce and avoid further escalation. However, Netanyahu cautioned that Israel would respond with force if Iran violated the agreement.
Iran, while denying the existence of a nuclear weapons program, has remained defiant in its rhetoric. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei recently stated that global powers “wouldn’t be able to stop us” if Tehran decided to pursue nuclear arms.
The ceasefire brings a temporary halt to the spiralling confrontation that threatened to ignite a broader regional conflict. However, with deep-rooted tensions and hardline positions on both sides, questions remain about the durability of the truce and the future of U.S.-led diplomacy in the region.