Tue Jun 24 03:40:00 UTC 2025: **Trump Declares Ceasefire in Israel-Iran Conflict After US Airstrikes, Air India Halts Middle East Operations**
**New Delhi, June 24, 2025** – U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran on Monday, June 23, marking an apparent end to a 12-day conflict that escalated after a devastating U.S. airstrike on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend. The announcement came amidst retaliatory missile strikes from Iran on U.S. bases in Qatar and Iraq, leading to heightened regional tensions and the disruption of air travel.
According to reports, Israel agreed to the ceasefire on the condition that Iran refrain from launching further attacks, with Iranian officials signaling their compliance. News of the ceasefire sent U.S. crude futures plummeting, offering some relief to concerns about supply disruptions in the region.
The conflict began to escalate after the U.S. carried out airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, prompting strong condemnation from Iran and retaliatory missile attacks on U.S. bases, including the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Qatar confirmed the missile attacks but reported that their air defenses successfully intercepted the missiles, resulting in no casualties.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains volatile, with reports of attacks on Iranian government targets in Tehran by Israel. Concerns over the safety of civilians have been raised by the United Nations, who pointed out that some attacks appeared to violate international humanitarian law.
In response to the escalating tensions, Air India has suspended operations to the Middle East, North America, and Europe until further notice, diverting flights and rerouting them away from closed airspaces. Neighboring Bahrain also temporarily suspended air traffic as a precautionary measure.
The international community is divided on the U.S.’s actions, with China and Russia urging de-escalation and a return to dialogue, while Germany expressed no reason to criticize the U.S. strikes. The UN nuclear watchdog has called for the return of inspectors to Iran to verify uranium stockpiles in light of the attacks.
With the ceasefire now in place, the focus shifts to diplomatic efforts to ensure a lasting resolution and prevent further escalation of the conflict in the region.
First Piper 