Iran says military forced Israel to halt attacks

Qatar on Tuesday summoned Iran's ambassador to condemn an Iranian missile attack on a US military base in Qatar, which its foreign ministry described as a "flagrant violation" of its sovereignty.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takhtravanchi, told a Qatari official on Tuesday that through cooperation and understanding with regional countries, Iran would not allow the United States and Israel to cause division, Iran's YJC news agency reported.

Foreign Ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will also convene an exceptional meeting in Doha on Tuesday over Iran's missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel had achieved all its military objectives in a wide-ranging operation against Iran, claiming the elimination of both Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, and thanked Trump for his support.

In a statement issued by the Israeli government, Netanyahu said that attacks on Iran had successfully neutralized what he called a “dual immediate existential threat” to Israel.

According to the statement, the Israeli military have gained full air control over Tehran’s skies, inflicted severe damage on Iran’s military leadership, and struck dozens of government targets in and around the Iranian capital.

The attacks, the statement said, resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Basij operatives,identified by Israel as part of Iran’s internal security apparatus, as well as the killing of several Iranian nuclear scientists.

Israel did not provide independent evidence to support the scale of the alleged damage.

The Israeli government said the operation was carried out in coordination with Trump and concluded with a mutual ceasefire agreement, proposed by the US president. Israel said it would enforce the ceasefire strictly and warned of a forceful response to any violation.

“Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defense and their participation in eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat,” the statement read.

Netanyahu is expected to deliver a formal address later in the day.

Iran struck the US Al Udeid base in Qatar to prove its ability to retaliate and to send a message of friendship to the Qatari government, Abbas Moghtadaei, first deputy chairman of Iran’s parliamentary national security and foreign policy committee, said on Tuesday.

Moghtadaei said the base was targeted because it holds “the most US assets” in the region, and the strike aimed to make Washington “aware of its own hostility.” He added that Iran respects international law and considers Qatar a friendly neighbor whose territory has been “partly seized” by the United States.

“By hitting the site of US misconduct while maintaining our friendship with Qatar, we sent a dual message,” Moghtadaei said. “There is still room to further punish the Americans,” he added.

Tehran declared it had agreed to a ceasefire twelve days after Israel launched a relentless military campaign against Iran, damaging key nuclear and military sites and killing hundreds of civilians.

“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,’” President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now),” he added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Iran would halt military operations starting at 4:00 a.m. Tehran time on Tuesday.

While he did not use the word “ceasefire,” he said Iran’s response would stop if Israel ceased its aggression.

As the US president hailed peace, Israel intensified its airstrikes on Tehran—and Iran kept firing missiles toward Israel up to the final moments before the agreement took effect, killing four and wounding several others in Beersheba.

Trump returned to Truth Social with a post even more triumphant than the last.

“Israel & Iran came to me, almost simultaneously, and said, ‘PEACE!’” he posted.

“They have so much to gain, and yet, so much to lose if they stray from the road of RIGHTEOUSNESS & TRUTH. The future for Israel & Iran is UNLIMITED, & filled with great PROMISE. GOD BLESS YOU BOTH!”

The deal followed intensive mediation by Qatar, with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani securing Tehran’s acceptance of Washington’s proposal in a call with Iranian officials.

According to Reuters, the call came after a direct request from Trump to Qatar’s emir, once Israel had agreed to the terms.

Just before the ceasefire took effect, Trump praised the US pilots who struck Iran’s underground nuclear sites last weekend.

“We couldn’t have made today’s ‘deal’ without the talent and courage of our great B-2 pilots," he posted. "In a certain and very ironic way, that perfect ‘hit,’ late in the evening, brought everyone together, and the deal was made!!!”

The agreement appeared to be holding after Iran launched its sixth and final salvo of ballistic missiles early Tuesday morning local time.

In an interview with NBC News, Trump called it “a wonderful day for the world.” Asked how long he believed the ceasefire would last, he replied, 'forever.'

“I don’t believe Israel and Iran will ever be shooting at each other again.”

Damaged buildings are seen in Be'er Sheva, southern Israel, following missile attacks from Iran on Israel, as security forces walk past the site on June 24, 2025.