Fact Check: "Trump declared a cease-fire, calling it the '12-day war.'"
What We Know
On June 23, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that a cease-fire had been agreed upon between Israel and Iran, referring to the conflict as the "12-day war" (AP News). This announcement followed a series of military engagements between the two nations, which had escalated over the preceding days. Trump claimed that both countries had consented to a "Complete and Total CEASEFIRE," and he characterized the cease-fire as a significant diplomatic achievement (AP News).
Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, indicated that Iran would cease its attacks if Israel did the same, although he later clarified that there was no formal agreement in place at that time (AP News). The cease-fire was intended to take effect in phases, with Iran ceasing hostilities first, followed by Israel twelve hours later (AP News).
Analysis
The claim that Trump declared a cease-fire and labeled the conflict as the "12-day war" is corroborated by multiple sources. The Associated Press reported on Trump's announcement and the context surrounding it, noting that the term "12-day war" was likely an allusion to the historical "Six Day War" of 1967, which involved Israel and several Arab nations (AP News).
The New York Times also confirmed that a cease-fire was announced, with Iran's president referring to the conflict as a "12-day war" that had been "imposed on the Iranian people" (New York Times). This indicates that the terminology used by Trump was not only his own but also reflected the sentiments expressed by Iranian leadership.
However, it is important to note that the situation remained fluid, with reports of continued hostilities even after the cease-fire was announced. Trump's frustration with ongoing attacks from both sides was evident, as he criticized both nations for not adhering to the cease-fire (New York Times).
The reliability of the sources reporting on this event, particularly the Associated Press and The New York Times, is generally high, as they are established news organizations with a track record of accurate reporting. However, the political context surrounding Trump's administration and his tendency to exaggerate or misrepresent facts should be taken into account when evaluating his claims.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump declared a cease-fire and referred to the conflict as the "12-day war" is True. Multiple credible sources confirm that Trump made this declaration, and the term was echoed by Iranian officials. Despite the announcement, the situation in the region remained tense, with ongoing military actions indicating that the cease-fire was not fully respected.
