TOI Correspondent from Washington: US President Donald Trump did an India-Pakistan on Israel and Iran, abruptly announcing a ceasefire between the two warring countries that no one had a clue about — least of all the two countries involved — and had everyone wondering of it would be meaningful and lasting.The two countries were still firing missiles at each other on Monday evening when Trump announced an elaborate ceasefire on his social media platform, claiming “Israel & Iran came to me, almost simultaneously, and said, “PEACE!” I knew the time was NOW. The World, and the Middle East, are the real WINNERS!”“Both Nations will see tremendous LOVE, PEACE, AND PROSPERITY in their futures. They have so much to gain, and yet, so much to lose if they stray from the road of RIGHTEOUSNESS & TRUTH. The future for Israel & Iran is UNLIMITED, & filled with great PROMISE,” he said, in echoes of the verbal topspin he used to tamp down the India-Pakistan firefight. Even Trump’s aides and administration officials appeared gobsmacked with the announcement, which the White House later said was aided by Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. Israel seemed to have a tough time overcoming its surprise in the middle of punitive strikes even though Trump spoke to its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before going public, as did Iran, which waited three hours before its state media confirmed the deal. Trump though owned the choreography of the ceasefire.“It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in-progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!” he wrote even before the two countries had formally agreed. He even laid out an elaborate timetable, saying, “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. 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.” This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will!” wrote the self-described peace maker.Although not known to be particularly religious or a pacifist, Trump concluded his peace drive by liberally invoking God, writing. “God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!”Trump also made light of Iran’s missile strikes on US interests in the region, calling it “weak” and suggesting Teheran had tipped off or alerted Washington to the attacks so it could take preventive action so that no lives are lost. “Iran has 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,” he wrote in another post. “I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done. Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their “system,” and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE. I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured,” he added, cocking a snook at the Islamic Republic.His posts also indicated that he had first convinced Iran to draw down and he would “enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same.”
