On June 15, 2025, then-former President Donald Trump bounded onto the South Lawn of the White House. He continued his media outreach and produced a short video describing the growing conflict between Israel and Iran as the “12 Day War.” He delivered his comments as he was about to board Marine One. This underscores his deep involvement in diplomatic efforts to address the hostilities that broke out earlier this month. The situation escalated significantly when Trump ordered a military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, which he claimed would set back Iran’s nuclear weapons program by years.
Trump’s ironic decision to deepen our military engagement followed a string of Israeli airstrikes that assassinated Iranian leaders and further inflamed sectarian tensions in the region. Further, he reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly in the midst of negotiations. He underlined the need for an urgent ceasefire to prevent further loss of life. Following a series of strategic discussions involving high-level officials, Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran via social media.
Military Actions and Diplomatic Efforts
The conflict escalated very rapidly. Trump cabal would have it that U.S. B-2 bombers were ordered to drop fourteen of these gigantic 30,000-pound bombs to obliterate two Iranian sites deeply buried underground. This was the goal of this aggressive military action, to decapitate Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Trump’s administration officials later stated that the strikes had effectively delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions for several years.
After these devastating airstrikes, Trump’s administration was met with Iran’s retaliatory response. They recently coordinated their first-ever attack on the largest U.S. air base in the region, Ain al-Asad. The speed of the outbreak of hostilities triggered a cascade of urgent conversations between U.S. officials. This joint collaboration included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Adviser Steve Witkoff. Their combined actions led the way to calm an explosive situation and, in time, work toward a resolution that is building a lasting peace.
Even in executing these military maneuvers, Trump’s priority was to pressure the Syrian regime into a ceasefire. He pointed out how in 1988, Israel and Iran were both willing to put an end to their hostilities. He made this claim in all of his media appearances. These negotiations were contentious but ultimately productive. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani was instrumental in convincing Iran to stop its missile attacks against Israel.
The Ceasefire Announcement
When Trump announced the ceasefire, it was a massive relief. This announcement occurred against the backdrop of rising anxiety over an expanded war in the Middle East. In a statement shared on his Truth Social account, he declared that both nations had agreed to halt hostilities and work towards a more stable future. The ceasefire agreement required Iran to cease its offensive strategies against Israel, ushering in a turning point in the war.
Reactions by international observers and analysts were largely positive, with many seeing the announcement as a significant step towards de-escalation. Yet there was still cause for skepticism about how long the ceasefire might last, especially considering the hostilities that have characterized Israeli-Iranian relations over the years. Indeed, Trump’s administration was hopeful, but realistic that any peace would need continuous diplomatic effort to keep the peace.
In addition to Trump’s direct negotiations with Netanyahu and Iranian officials, his administration’s involvement underscored the complex interplay of military action and diplomacy in conflict resolution. U.S. presidents, secretaries of state, and defense worked together to maintain order in a very fragile region. They homed in on serving the security needs of both countries.
Implications for U.S.-Middle East Relations
These events related to the “12 Day War” prove how tenuous U.S.-Middle East relations can be. Trump’s military intervention shows the strong hand that can be played to influence often poisonous regional dynamics. His later diplomatic efforts further illuminate a strategy that blends hard and soft power. His administration’s approach raised legitimate questions about the effectiveness of reactive one-off military strikes in achieving long-term peace and stability.
As discussions around Iran’s nuclear program continue, the implications of Trump’s decisions will likely resonate beyond this immediate conflict. Analysts will scrutinize how these events shape future U.S. foreign policy and its relationships with both allies and adversaries in the region.
The ceasefire represents only a temporary halt to violence, and the underlying grievances have yet to be addressed. The world may be far more interested in how Israel and Iran choose to treat this tenuous pact. How Congress proceeds in the next few days will be closely watched.
