Qatar plays key role for Trump in brokering ceasefire deal

Qatar played a key role in getting Iran over the line on a ceasefire, helping broker an agreement once Donald Trump convinced Benjamin Netanyahu.

Qatar played a key role in the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran.

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Qatar has played a key role in getting Iran over the line on a ceasefire, helping to broker an agreement once Donald Trump was able to convince Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Early indications pin the genesis of the ceasefire proposal on a phone call between the US and Israeli leaders, with Mr Netanyahu indicting he would accept a ceasefire so long as Iran agreed not to launch any new attacks. Both Israel and Iran ended up confirming their ­acceptance of the deal nearly nine hours after it was floated by Mr Trump on social media.

The US President said the deal meant that “the World, and the Middle East, are the real WINNERS! Both Nations will see tremendous LOVE, PEACE, AND PROSPERITY in their futures”.

“Both Israel & Iran came to me, almost simultaneously, and said, ‘PEACE!’ I knew the time was NOW,” he said.

The deal was able to be ­advanced after Iranian retaliation over the US strikes on three of its nuclear facilities – at Isfahan, ­Natanz and Fordow – signalled the intent of the regime to avoid an ­escalation. Tehran responded to the US attacks by launching a missile strike at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, America’s largest installation in the Middle East and home to about 10,000 US personnel. No Americans were injured and damage was minor.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said Tehran had “officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered”.

“There have been 14 missiles fired – 13 were knocked down, and 1 was ‘set free,’ because it was headed in a nonthreatening direction. I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done.”

The attack was telegraphed by the Iranian regime, with Mr Trump saying he wanted to “thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured”. “Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region,” he said.

After the US President spoke to Mr Netanyahu about a way to end the conflict, the administration reached out to Qatar to see if it could help broker a deal acceptable to both parties. Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff were brought in to help the diplomatic effort.

White House officials confirmed to US media that the Emir of Qatar – Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani – played an important part in encouraging Israel and Iran to come to the table.

Initial reports suggested that Mr Trump spoke to the Emir, informing him that Israel would accept a ceasefire so long as Iran agreed to halt its attacks. The US President requested the Emir’s help while Mr Vance worked on Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

Mr Trump later unveiled the ­details of the ceasefire proposal on his Truth Social platform, writing that it had been “fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE”.

“Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World,” he said.

“During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL. 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.”

However, despite the US President’s announcement, the conflict continued to rage over the next ­several hours, with Israel not ­initially confirming the ceasefire agreement and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying there was “no agreement on any ceasefire”.

Mr Araghchi stressed that Iran would cease its military activities if Israel stopped its campaign. In ­Israel, Mr Netanyahu had asked his ministers to maintain a radio ­silence about the proposal.

The US President posted on Truth Social in the early hours of Tuesday, local time, that the ceasefire was in effect. “PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT,” he declared.

Earlier he made sure to thank the “Highly Respected Emir of Qatar for all that he has done in seeking Peace for the Region. Regarding the attack today at the American Base in Qatar, I am pleased to report that, in addition to no Americans being killed or wounded, very importantly, there have also been no Qataris killed or wounded.”

Israeli media reported that, ­before Mr Trump’s conversation on Monday with Mr Netanyahu, Mr Rubio had spoken with Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer – a close adviser to the Prime Minister – and said that Washington wanted to end the conflict.

Mr Vance went on to tell Fox News the sequencing of the ceasefire agreement meant that Israel and Iran would most likely continue to exchange fire for several hours. He said the agreement meant Iran had a chance to “pursue the path of peace” given it was “not very good at war”.

A statement released by Mr Netanyahu’s office eventually confirmed that Israel had accepted the US proposal, but would “respond forcefully” to any violations.

“Israel has removed a dual immediate existential threat – both in the nuclear and ballistic missile fields,” the statement said. “The IDF achieved full air control over Tehran’s skies, inflicted severe damage on the military leadership, and destroyed dozens of central Iranian government targets.

“Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defence and their participation in eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat.

“In light of the achievement of the operation’s objectives, and in full co-ordination with President Trump, Israel has agreed to the President’s proposal for a bilateral ceasefire.”