The Iran-Israel deal: How Trump surprised his team

The Iran-Israel deal

 

Details of the Iran-Israel deal: How Trump surprised his team

With the ceasefire between Israel and Iran taking effect on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump announced it, some details have emerged. A senior White House official explained that the US president surprised those close to him with this announcement.

The official, who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to speak publicly, added that Trump announced the agreement suddenly after speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian officials, with Qatari mediation, according to the New York Times. He also indicated that the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, played a role in the ceasefire discussions.

Communication with the Iranian

Furthermore, the US official confirmed that Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who have led efforts to reach an agreement with the Iranian side regarding the nuclear program since last April, have communicated with the Iranians "directly and indirectly." He added that Israel agreed to a ceasefire on the condition that it would not be subjected to new Iranian attacks.

The official also credited the US military strikes that targeted three Iranian nuclear enrichment sites last Saturday—Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow—with paving the way for ceasefire talks. However, he did not disclose the conditions Iran might have agreed to, including clarifying the locations of its enriched uranium stockpiles.

Trump, for his part, credited those strikes with ending the war between the two countries, describing the B-2 bomber pilots who carried out the attacks as brave. The United States had launched strikes on Iran's heavily fortified Fordow nuclear facility, as well as Isfahan and Natanz, with satellite images showing damage to the site, particularly at the facility's entrances. Tehran responded by launching approximately 14 missiles at the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and the Ain al-Asad and Taji bases in Iraq, without causing any casualties.

It's worth noting that on June 13, Israel launched attacks on several Iranian regions, including the capital, Tehran, targeting military bases and nuclear facilities. It also carried out several assassinations targeting dozens of military leaders and more than 14 nuclear scientists. Meanwhile, Iran launched a series of missile attacks and drone attacks on Israel, targeting Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beersheba, and other cities.