- On June 23, 2025, Iran launched 14 ballistic missiles at the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base near Doha, Qatar, in response to American strikes on its nuclear facilities. All were (“short-range and medium‑range”) intercepted by Qatari air defenses with no reported casualties or damage (aljazeera.com).
- Iranian leaders framed it as a symbolic retaliation, while also not intending to escalate further (theguardian.com).
🇺🇸 Trump’s Response Hours Later
- Donald Trump, stating from the White House Situation Room, declared this “a very weak response” and thanked Iran for providing advance warning, which enabled no loss of life (aljazeera.com).
- He used his Truth Social platform to assert all missiles were “gotten…out of their ‘system’,” and he credited that early notice as the reason no Americans were harmed (aljazeera.com).
Ceasefire Declaration
- Within hours of the missile salvo, Trump announced a “complete and total ceasefire” between Israel and Iran, aiming to phase it in over the next 24 hours—a dramatic shift he called the “Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR” (aljazeera.com).
- The international response is mixed:
- Iran’s foreign minister emphasized no formal agreement exists and insisted a ceasefire depends on Israel ceasing hostilities first (scmp.com).
- Israel has not confirmed any truce and later warned of additional Iranian missile launches (apnews.com).
Context & Implications
- This is the first time Iran directly targeted a U.S. base outside Iraq (aljazeera.com).
- The advance warning appears designed to project strength without provoking escalation .
- Trump’s ceasefire proclamation underscores his intent to position the U.S. as a peacebroker—even after previously approving strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure .
Summary
| Event | Key Highlights |
|---|---|
| Iranian missile attack | 14 missiles, intercepted, no casualties |
| Trump’s remarks | Called it weak, thanked Iran for warning |
| Ceasefire claims | Trump: ceasefire agreed; Iran & Israel: no formal deal |
This sequence—Iran’s symbolic missile strike, Trump’s praise for restraint, and a bold ceasefire pronouncement—marks a major pivot in the Israel–Iran–U.S. dynamic. Still, neither Iran nor Israel has formally endorsed a ceasefire yet, so the situation remains fragile and evolving.
