I never thought I’d witness a ceasefire between Israel and Iran in my lifetime—certainly not one mediated under the shadow of exploding missiles and veiled threats. As someone deeply invested in understanding geopolitical affairs, June 24, 2025, feels like a turning point, not just in Middle Eastern politics, but in how modern conflicts are conducted, paused, and—potentially—ended.
This ceasefire, as dramatic as the twelve days of war that preceded it, came not after quiet diplomacy, but amid chaos. I remember scrolling through headlines early Tuesday morning, Indian time, as missiles flew over Jerusalem, warplanes bombed Tehran, and U.S. President Donald Trump declared an “Official END” to the conflict on Truth Social. The dissonance between his words and the visuals from the region was staggering.
The ceasefire Trump announced was a two-phase process. According to him, Iran would stop its operations first, and Israel would follow 12 hours later. This staggered approach was meant to allow “ongoing final missions” to wrap up before a complete halt. On paper, it seemed organized. On the ground, it was anything but.
Even as the deadline approached, Iran fired its fifth and sixth missile salvos toward northern Israel. In Be’er Sheva, at least seven civilians were killed. Simultaneously, Israel launched massive retaliatory strikes deep into Tehran, with warplanes rumbling across the skies and massive explosions reported in the capital. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, had insisted just hours earlier that there was “no agreement” on a ceasefire—unless Israel ceased its aggression by 4 a.m. Tehran time.
By sunrise, Iran’s tone had shifted slightly. Though the language was cautious—phrases like “ceasefire for now” and “ending hostilities”—it indicated that Iran was prepared to hold fire. Trump, meanwhile, reiterated, “THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!” The Israeli government, for its part, remained publicly silent.
For those watching from the outside, it may be tempting to see this as another diplomatic victory for the U.S., or as a potential new chapter of peace. But to those of us who have followed the Middle East closely, this ceasefire feels tenuous—more a strategic pause than a genuine resolution. The deep-seated mistrust between Israel and Iran doesn’t disappear in 24 hours. Neither do the grievances.
The conflict erupted over Israel’s aggressive strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—which the U.S. followed up with devastating air raids of its own. Iran responded by targeting U.S. bases in Qatar and Iraq, escalating tensions rapidly. Civilians in Israel and Iran were thrown into shelters, their daily lives upended, their futures uncertain.
What makes this ceasefire different is not its suddenness or the violence that framed it—it’s the messaging. Trump portrayed himself as the central peacemaker, claiming both nations “came to me, almost simultaneously, and said, ‘PEACE!’” But behind the showmanship, the reality is more sobering. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issued warnings to the U.S., vowing crushing retaliation if another attack occurred. Israel continued operating in silence, letting its military speak louder than its government.
I hope this ceasefire holds. I truly do. The people of Tel Aviv, Tehran, Jerusalem, and Qom deserve to breathe, to sleep through a night without sirens or blasts. They deserve peace not dictated by political convenience but rooted in long-term strategy and mutual respect.
But for now, I can only call this what it is: a fragile and conditional truce. One that could unravel as quickly as it was declared. The missiles may have stopped—for now—but the conflict between Israel and Iran is far from over.
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