Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform, Truth Social, late Monday evening Eastern Time that Israel and Iran have reached a preliminary ceasefire agreement. The phased implementation is expected to begin at midnight. The news quickly captured the attention of global media.

The ceasefire came as a surprise to many analysts, especially given the recent escalation: just two days ago, the United States and Israel launched a coordinated airstrike on three major nuclear sites inside Iran. Dubbed “Midnight Hammer,” the operation involved over 125 aircraft and bunker-busting bombs designed to destroy underground facilities. The aim was to significantly impair Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities. Initial assessments indicated that Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan sites were “severely damaged,” though it’s still too early to determine whether Iran’s nuclear program has been fully crippled.

This 12-day conflict, now being referred to by some as the “Twelve-Day War,” brought the region to the brink. At this tense moment, Trump’s declaration of the ceasefire stood out. According to his statement, Iran is to begin a 12-hour cessation of hostilities, followed by Israel’s own ceasefire. After a 24-hour transition period, both sides are expected to formally declare the end of hostilities. Trump described it as a “complete and total ceasefire” and expressed his satisfaction that both nations could “end the conflict with courage and wisdom.”

From a U.S. perspective, the events of the past two weeks represent a high-stakes political and strategic gamble. On one hand, Washington authorized a direct strike on Iranian nuclear facilities; on the other, it moved swiftly to broker a truce. Trump emphasized that without quick action and decisive leadership, the situation could have spiraled into a drawn-out conflict—similar to the many prolonged wars that have plagued the Middle East for years.

While the ceasefire appears to offer a glimmer of hope, the next 24 hours will be critical. Will both sides honor the agreement and withdraw as promised? Could this mark the beginning of a shift in U.S.-Iran relations—or is it merely a temporary lull in tensions? These questions remain unanswered.

For now, though, the pressure has slightly eased, offering the international community a brief moment to breathe amid the recent turmoil.