Fact Check: Trump Announces Ceasefire Before Israel Publicly Agrees to It
What We Know
On June 23, 2025, former President Donald Trump announced via social media that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire, which he described as a "Complete and Total" cessation of hostilities set to begin shortly after his announcement. Trump claimed that the ceasefire would involve two 12-hour periods, starting with Iran, followed by Israel, and that the war would officially end after 24 hours if all went according to plan (ABC News, Reuters).
However, in the immediate aftermath of Trump's announcement, there was no public confirmation from Israeli officials regarding their acceptance of the ceasefire terms. Reports indicated that Iran had launched missile attacks on Israel just hours before the ceasefire was set to take effect, which further complicated the situation (CNBC). Additionally, Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, denied that a ceasefire agreement was in place, although he mentioned that Iran would not retaliate if Israel ceased its strikes by a specified time (ABC News).
Analysis
The claim that Trump announced a ceasefire before Israel publicly agreed to it is partially true. Trump did make an announcement about a ceasefire, but the lack of immediate confirmation from Israeli officials raises questions about the validity of the agreement at that time. The announcement was made in the context of ongoing military actions, including missile strikes from Iran, which indicates that the situation was fluid and contentious (ABC News, CNBC).
The sources reporting on this event vary in reliability. For instance, ABC News and Reuters are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards, while other sources may not have the same level of credibility. The absence of a public statement from Israeli officials at the time of Trump's announcement suggests that the situation was not as straightforward as Trump portrayed it. This lack of confirmation from Israel implies that while Trump may have brokered a potential ceasefire, it was not fully agreed upon by all parties involved at the time of his announcement.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump announced a ceasefire before Israel publicly agreed to it is partially true. While Trump did announce a ceasefire and claimed it was agreed upon, the lack of immediate confirmation from Israeli officials and ongoing military actions suggest that the situation was more complex. The announcement may have been premature, reflecting Trump's optimistic framing rather than a fully realized agreement.
