Washington, June 24 (UNI) US President Donald Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prior to the announced Israel-Tehran ceasefire to tell him that it was necessary to stop the conflict with Tehran while the Iranians were "significantly weakened," NBC News reported on Tuesday, citing an unnamed senior White House official.

On Monday night, Trump said that Iran and Israel had reached a 24-hour ceasefire that would be "an official end to the 12-day war." However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later said that there was currently no agreement with Israel on a ceasefire or an end to military operations. He stated that if Israel ceased its attacks by 4 a.m. Tehran time (00:30 GMT) on June 24, Tehran would do the same. On Tuesday, Trump said that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel was now in effect and urged both sides not to violate it.

"No more war, no more fighting. The Iranians have been significantly weakened," Trump reportedly told Netanyahu.

While Trump spoke with Netanyahu, his national security team sent messages to the Iranian side through intermediaries, the official also told NBC News. A diplomatic source told the broadcaster that US Vice President JD Vance also acted as a mediator in the talks.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on June 13, when Israel launched a large-scale operation against Iran, accusing it of implementing a secret military nuclear program. Tehran retaliated by launching Operation True Promise III, hitting military targets inside Israel. On June 22, the United States struck three Iranian nuclear sites in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, joining Israel's campaign against Iran. Trump said after the attack that Tehran "must now agree to end this war" or face far more serious consequences.

UNI SPUTNIK GNK