US President Donald Trump has announced that a ceasefire between Iran and Israel is now in effect, despite ongoing confusion surrounding the agreement.

“THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, just hours after Israel said at least four people had been killed and others injured in multiple missile barrages from Iran.

About an hour later, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement saying Israel had accepted the ceasefire deal, but would “respond forcefully” to any violation of it.

The statement described Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion” as a “tremendous success for the people of Israel and its fighters who removed the two existential threats to our state, and ensured the eternity of Israel”.

Uncertainty has surrounded the terms and timing of the ceasefire, with Trump’s original statement appearing to suggest Israel and Iran would have time to complete missions that were under way, at which point the ceasefire would begin in a staged process.

In a post on X, former US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro questioned whether this meant Israel had “12 more hours to strike” after the announcement or were supposed to cease fire immediately.

Very confusing! Does Israel have 12 more hours to strike based on his first announcement? Or are they supposed to be in ceasefire now? Even after the deaths in Beersheva and Iran’s barrage after the deadline? No one knows!

PRECISION IN WAR AND PEACE MATTERS https://t.co/f9MWFhPNUJ

— Dan Shapiro (@DanielBShapiro) June 24, 2025

As the first of the President’s declared deadlines ticked over late on Monday (US time), Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi took to X to declare that “Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around”.

“As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards,” he wrote.

“The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.”

He followed up only minutes later to say:

“The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am.

“Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute.”

It came only hours after Trump announced the end of what he called “the 12-day war” between the two Middle East nations, also via Truth Social.

“It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE … for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!” he wrote.

“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, ‘THE 12 DAY WAR’.”

An official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters that Tehran’s agreement had been secured by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

Trump told Qatar’s emir that Israel had agreed to the ceasefire, according to the official.

Hours earlier, three Israeli officials had signalled Israel was looking to wrap up its campaign in Iran soon and had passed that message on to the US.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was “very, very close to completing” its goals.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran had agreed to the US-proposed ceasefire.

Earlier, Trump said he would encourage Israel to proceed towards peace after dismissing Iran’s attack on an American air base that caused no injuries and thanking Tehran for the early notice of the strikes.

Tuesday’s announcement came after Iran’s military carried out a “devastating and powerful” missile attack on the Al-Udeid US air base in Qatar.

Trump had earlier thanked Iran for giving the US notice prior to shooting missiles at the military base, which he said made it possible for no lives to be lost.

Iranian authorities threatened to retaliate against the US after American bombers dropped bunker-busters on Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan at the weekend in support of Israel.

-with AAP