Trump’s Furious Start
In the early hours of June 24, U.S. President Donald Trump appeared visibly irate outside the White House, blasting both Israel and Iran for violating a ceasefire he had just brokered. Calmly turning to cameras before heading to the NATO summit in The Hague, he unleashed a profanity-laced tirade, stating:
“We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing.”
He singled out Israel in particular, recounting that “as soon as we made the deal,” the Israeli Air Force “dropped a load of bombs … the biggest load that we’ve seen.” Though he was also displeased with Iran, his tone toward Israel was notably sharper and more frustrated.
The Ceasefire Deal
Trump had announced a “complete and total ceasefire” between Iran and Israel after twelve days of escalating exchanges. The agreement, partly brokered by Qatar, was intended to halt hostilities after President Trump ordered U.S. bombers to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. In his announcement on Truth Social, he wrote in all caps:
“THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!”
He urged Israel to “bring your pilots home, now,” warning any renewed attacks would constitute a major violation.
Violations by Both Sides
Despite the ceasefire’s apparent start, both Iran and Israel quickly turned to blame one another. Iran reportedly launched missiles at around 07:06 local time, with two more following at 10:25. Israel confirmed it had carried out a targeted strike on a radar installation near Tehran, declaring it a response to Iran’s actions, even after the ceasefire was in effect.
Trump’s Red-Line Ultimatum
Trump, already airborne en route to The Hague, posted on Truth Social:
“All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly ‘Plane Wave’ to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect!”
He emphasized again that Israel must cease striking.
Diplomatic Intervention with Netanyahu
A White House source described Trump’s phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu as “exceptionally firm and direct,” warning that further Israeli strikes would derail the ceasefire. Netanyahu’s office quickly responded, stating that after their conversation, Israel paused any additional operations, undertaking only a single strike against a radar facility before halting further action.
Backtracking on ‘Regime Change’
During the same press interaction, Trump distanced himself from suggestions of pursuing regime change in Iran. He explained, “No … I don’t want it. I’d like to see everything calm down as quickly as possible. Regime change takes chaos.” Earlier speculation had included regime change as an option; his clarification signalled a more cautious approach.
Mixed Messages on Nuclear Strike Success
Trump credited U.S. airstrikes with “obliterating” Iran’s nuclear capabilities. However, leaked intelligence and statements from the IAEA and European officials suggested these strikes only set back Iran’s nuclear program by a few months, complicating claims of total destruction.
Regional and Global Reactions
International markets responded with relief: global stocks rallied, and oil prices fell on expectations of stabilizing oil flow from the Gulf. At the NATO summit, leaders praised Trump’s ceasefire mediation, even as some expressed scepticism about its durability and the extent of the nuclear damage.
Paramilitary Tensions Remain
Though the ceasefire technically held, intermittent missile launches from Iran and limited Israeli reprisals highlighted its fragility. Iran denied violating the ceasefire, while Israel said its actions were retaliatory. By June 26, the truce largely held thanks to ongoing diplomatic pressure and Trump’s early intervention.
What It All Means
Trump’s angry, unfiltered approach underlines the complexity of enforcing peace in this volatile region. His clear rebuke of both countries, especially long-time ally Israel, signifies a shift toward assertive U.S. involvement. His stance may have earned short-term calm, but the rapid violations reveal how fragile this peace remains. The delicate balance between military force and diplomacy is still at play.
Looking Ahead
As Trump meets other NATO leaders, the world will watch closely to see if this ceasefire stabilizes or breaks. Whether Trump can sustain pressure on Israel and Iran, and whether both nations stick to the truce, will define the next chapter. Will diplomatic intervention hold, or will regional tensions reignite? The answer lies in what follows next.
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