In just two days, President Donald Trump managed to shift from ordering U.S. strikes on Iran to brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. The process moved at lightning speed.
On June 21, the U.S. dropped bunker-buster bombs and cruise missiles on Iran’s nuclear sites, delaying their program by several months. Iran responded with missile strikes targeting a U.S. base in Qatar.
Within 48 hours, Trump took direct action. He scrambled top advisors—Secretary of State Marco Rubio, VP JD Vance, and intelligence officials—and used Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. He also enlisted Qatar to mediate between the parties.
In a dramatic move, Trump personally called Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reached out to Iran through Qatar. He then announced a “total ceasefire” via social media, urging both nations to stop fighting. He praised Iran for giving early warning before its missile launch, and firmly told Israel to hold fire.
While Israel and Iran gave informal agreement, both sides initially tested the ceasefire by launching a few missiles. Trump publicly scolded both nations, warning against violations. His unorthodox, hands-on approach—bypassing traditional diplomacy—managed to pause the fighting.
By the morning of June 25, the conflict had quieted. Though fragile, this ceasefire showcases Trump’s bold strategy: quick, direct communication and high-stakes actions to halt war.