Silent Work Pursues US-Israel Ceasefire with Iran

After thousands of missiles, rockets, and bombs worth a total of billions of US dollars exploded, a ceasefire was agreed upon. The backchannel across countries became the key to alleviating the highly feared tensions.

Starting Tuesday (24/6/2025), the United States and Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Iran. "I believe the ceasefire is unlimited. It will last forever," said U.S. President Donald Trump, stating that Israel will cease its attacks on Iran and Iran will stop retaliating.

The truce Trump announced, according to The New York Times, was known to very few people. Top US-Israeli officials were caught by surprise.

In fact, according to sources at the White House, Trump announced this before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed. "We want an agreement and do not want war anymore," Trump told Netanyahu.

A White House source told Axios that Trump made the announcement to Netanyahu after 75 U.S. bombs, missiles and rockets exploded in Iran. Phones have been ringing off the hook at the White House and State Department since the U.S. struck three Iranian nuclear reactors early Sunday.

Trump tasked U.S. Vice President, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff to call three countries. They spoke with officials from Israel, Iran, and Qatar. Among others, they called the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.

Meanwhile, Trump is focused on negotiating with Netanyahu and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Trump is pursuing a fundamental agreement with Netanyahu and Sheikh Tamim. His trio of subordinates is handling the technical implementation of the agreement.

To Sheikh Tamim, Trump assured that he could make Israel agree to a ceasefire. Therefore, he requested Sheikh Tamim to persuade Iran to agree as well.

Qatar plays a crucial role in this de-escalation. Doha has kept communication channels open between Tehran, Washington DC, and Tel Aviv. In diplomacy, this quietly maintained route is referred to as a back channel. History records that time and again, back channels have been able to prevent conflicts from escalating.

Tehran and Doha regularly communicate regarding the developments of the US-Israel attacks on Iran. Messages from Iran are relayed by Qatar to the US-Israel. Conversely, some messages from the US-Israel are forwarded by Qatar to Iran.

When announcing Operation Midnight Hammer, the name given by the U.S. for the attack on Iran, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth referenced that channel. "We are sending messages through various channels," he said without elaborating further.

CNN reported that the US sent several messages to Iran through the back channel before launching Operation Midnight Hammer. In essence, the attack on Iran will be focused and limited.

Several US-Israel officials stated that there are many trucks moving around Iran's nuclear facilities ahead of the US attack. Some trucks are dumping soil into the entrances of underground tunnels. Others are merely entering and exiting the tunnels that serve as access to storage facilities for equipment and various matters related to Iran's nuclear program.

On the other hand, according to Axios and CNN, Iran also sent a message through back channels before attacking the US base in Qatar. Essentially, Iran will retaliate against Midnight Hammer. The method involves attacking a base that is symbolically significant to the US.

Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is a major U.S. airfield in the region. However, all aircraft at that airbase have been relocated to airfields in other countries since last weekend.

On Monday (23/6/2025) early morning Doha time, Iran informed Qatar about plans for an attack on Al Udeid. Out of 14 missiles, 13 were dropped. Meanwhile, one more passed over the base before striking a building outside the airbase.

Trump reportedly expressed gratitude to Sheikh Tamim for his role in easing tensions. Specifically, he thanked him for the early notice regarding the planned attack on Al Udeid.

The message regarding the planned attack is merely part of the efforts to ease tensions following Israel's assault on Iran. The primary function of this backchannel is to find ways for Israel to cease its attacks on Iran.

On several occasions, Iran has stressed that it only responds to Israeli attacks. Once Israel stops attacking, Iran stops retaliating.

Following Trump's announcement regarding the ceasefire, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi reiterated this. On various previous occasions, Aragchi and several Iranian officials have also conveyed this. Indirectly, Iran has signaled its readiness for a ceasefire.

In an interview broadcast by Sky News on June 19, 2025, Colonel (Ret.) Zohar Palti stated that a ceasefire would be achieved within a few days. Palti previously served as the Director of Intelligence for Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency. He also held the position of Head of the Political Bureau at the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

According to Axios and CNN, the US-Qatar has been intensively conducting diplomacy since Israel attacked Iran. In fact, there were efforts to bring Trump together with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian last week. Ultimately, the US attacked Iran and Trump announced a ceasefire, but the meeting did not materialize.

These efforts demonstrate that amidst the mutual explosive attacks, the parties continue to seek ways to negotiate and halt the fighting. For the time being, the parties have agreed to de-escalate the gunfire.

The next stage returns to the main issue: Iran's nuclear program. The United States demands that Iran does not enrich uranium beyond the limits necessary for civilian use. This means that the enrichment level should be below five percent. The United States, according to Rubio, is ready to negotiate this.

Meanwhile, on various occasions, Pezeshkian and Iranian officials emphasized that uranium enrichment is Iran's right. This right will be upheld.

U.S. geopolitical analysts Ian Bremmer and John Hopkins University lecturer Vali Nasr are finding it increasingly difficult to convince Iran and other countries not to pursue nuclear weapon technology. Bremmer stated that lacking nuclear capabilities makes a country vulnerable to attacks. Iran, along with Libya and Ukraine previously, has proven this. (AP/AFP)