Behind Trump’s Deal: How Iran and Israel Agreed to End the War
The announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran marked the final chapter in a series of exchanged messages and simultaneous pressures.
At 4:00 AM GMT on Tuesday, the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran came into effect, following an overnight announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump.
But how was this agreement, which ended the 12-day war, actually formed?
According to U.S. news outlet Axios, Trump’s efforts to end the conflict began in earnest on Sunday, shortly after American airstrikes targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Quoting a White House official, the site reported that President Trump instructed his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to inform the Iranians of his willingness to negotiate a deal to end the war.
Iran initially “refused to participate”, stating that “diplomacy would only be possible after they retaliated by striking American targets”, according to a well-informed source.
However, prior to launching its missile strike on the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Monday evening, Axios reported that Iran “sent messages to the Trump administration via Qatar outlining the timing and nature of the intended targets”, according to a White House official. Tehran did not confirm or deny this information.
Qatar also did not confirm the details shared by the U.S. outlet.
Immediately after the strike, “the Iranians sent another secret message to the White House, stating that they would not carry out any further attacks on U.S. targets”.
Based on that, Axios adds, “the White House responded again via Qatari intermediaries, saying the U.S. would not retaliate for the Iranian attack and expressed readiness to resume negotiations with Tehran”.
According to a White House official, Trump then called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the Al-Udeid attack and informed him of his intention to end the war.
Netanyahu agreed to the ceasefire, saying Israel would not launch additional strikes as long as Iran stopped firing missiles, the source added.
After all terms were finalized, Trump announced the ceasefire on his platform “Truth Social”.
Trump affirms support for Qatar
On Tuesday, Qatar’s official news agency reported that Trump had called the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, after Iran’s attack on the Al-Udeid base.
During the call, Trump expressed his country’s solidarity with Qatar and strongly condemned the Iranian strike, calling it “a blatant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace, as well as of international law and the UN Charter”.
He firmly rejected any “aggression that threatens the security and stability of Qatar and the region”, urging restraint and a diplomatic resolution.
Sheikh Tamim thanked the U.S. president for his support and solidarity with Qatar and its people, affirming the readiness and vigilance of the Qatari armed forces and the preventive measures taken, which ensured no casualties or injuries occurred.
