Israel Iran Ceasefire Ends 11 Days Conflict With Heavy Casualties

In June 2025, escalating tensions between Israel and Iran culminated in a series of military strikes and retaliations, with US President Donald Trump playing a central role in efforts to manage the conflict. Israel launched attacks on Iranian nuclear and military sites, significantly damaging Iran's nuclear infrastructure and assassinating key scientists, while Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Israeli cities and a US base in Qatar, resulting in casualties on both sides. Despite Trump's announcement of a 12-hour ceasefire that neither Iran nor Israel fully endorsed, hostilities persisted until an 11-day conflict ended with a complete ceasefire declared by Trump. The conflict exposed the fragility of international law and diplomacy, with analysts and officials criticizing the disregard for formal war protocols and the ineffectiveness of international organizations. Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE, found themselves caught between the two powers, balancing de-escalation attempts with cooperation with Israel amid domestic and regional instability. Trump's decision to order US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites helped unify much of the Republican Party, bridging previous divisions over foreign intervention in the Middle East and reinforcing a stance against Iran's nuclear ambitions.