President Donald Trump announced on Monday evening that Israel and Iran have agreed to a "complete and total" ceasefire, bringing a halt — at least temporarily — to nearly two weeks of rising tensions and military exchanges across the Middle East.

The ceasefire was confirmed via Trump’s Truth Social account and follows days of behind-the-scenes diplomatic negotiations led by U.S. officials, with significant support from Qatar’s Prime Minister. Trump emphasized that the agreement represented a breakthrough in avoiding further regional conflict, calling it a demonstration of "peace through strength."

According to the details of the agreement:

• Iran is expected to cease all military activity immediately.
• Israel will halt its operations twelve hours later, pending verification of Iranian compliance.
• The truce will be officially recognized as binding after 24 continuous hours without violations from either side.

“This war could have gone on for years,” Trump wrote. “But it didn’t. And never will.”

The White House later confirmed that President Trump spoke personally with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and that indirect communications with Iranian officials were facilitated by intermediary governments, including Qatar and Oman. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien praised the diplomatic coordination, calling it a "milestone in modern conflict resolution."

As of Tuesday morning, neither Iran’s Foreign Ministry nor Israel’s Defense Ministry had issued a formal public statement confirming the deal. However, senior officials in both countries told regional media that compliance is expected, assuming mutual restraint is observed.

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Global Market Response

The announcement had immediate ripple effects across global financial markets:

• Brent crude prices dropped more than 4%, dipping to $68.72 per barrel, reversing earlier spikes driven by fears of a prolonged Gulf conflict.
• U.S. stock futures surged, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both opening higher as investor anxiety eased.
• Emerging market currencies also gained strength, with the euro, yen, and Australian dollar posting modest upticks.

Financial analysts said the markets were responding favorably to the apparent de-escalation, though some warned that sustained calm would depend on verification of both sides’ adherence to the ceasefire terms.

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Geopolitical and Strategic Impact

The ceasefire comes after a rapid escalation in hostilities that began when the U.S. launched precision strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, citing intelligence that Tehran was accelerating uranium enrichment. Iran retaliated with ballistic missile attacks on Israeli positions and U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, prompting fears of a broader regional war.

While the ceasefire is widely seen as a major diplomatic success for the Trump administration, international observers remain cautious. Security experts say the core tensions between Iran and Israel — particularly around Iran's nuclear program and its support for proxy militias in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen — have not been resolved.

The United Nations, European Union, Russia, and China all issued coordinated statements welcoming the ceasefire and urging all parties to “commit to de-escalation and long-term dialogue.”

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What Comes Next

Analysts say the next 24–48 hours are critical. If both sides adhere to the agreed terms, it could lead to:

• Broader multilateral talks involving nuclear non-proliferation guarantees.
• Easing of U.S. sanctions in exchange for compliance.
• A renewed diplomatic framework involving Gulf allies and European stakeholders.

However, any breach or rogue attack could unravel the fragile truce.

“It’s a ceasefire, not a peace treaty,” said Dr. Rana Al-Bahrani, a Gulf political analyst. “But it buys the region some breathing space — and for now, that’s a win.”