Israel Confirms Ceasefire With Iran After 'Rising Lion' Operation

The Israeli government has officially confirmed its agreement to a bilateral ceasefire with Iran, following what it has termed a historic military success under Operation "Rising Lion."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a high-level cabinet meeting last night alongside the Defence Minister, IDF Chief of Staff, and Mossad leadership to outline the outcomes of the operation and announce the nation’s next steps.

"Two Existential Threats Removed," Says Israel

In a formal statement, the government claimed that Israel had “removed a dual immediate existential threat”, referring to Iran’s nuclear capabilities and ballistic missile programs. Officials said the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) had achieved total air superiority over Tehran, inflicted “severe damage” on Iranian military leadership, and destroyed dozens of key government sites.

The statement also claimed hundreds of Basij operatives, members of Iran's paramilitary forces, were eliminated, along with a senior nuclear scientist, though it did not disclose their identity.

The Israeli government expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration for defence cooperation and direct involvement in what Israel described as the elimination of Iran’s nuclear threat. The statement emphasised that the ceasefire agreement was reached “in full coordination” with President Trump and that any violations would be met with “forceful” retaliation.

Ceasefire Comes Amid Escalating Regional Tensions

This is the first official confirmation from Israel regarding the ceasefire amid rising global anxiety over a broader Middle East conflict. Over the last 72 hours, tensions escalated rapidly after US B-2 bombers struck Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, prompting vows of retaliation from Tehran.

While Israel declared its operational objectives met, officials have urged Israeli citizens to continue following safety instructions from the Home Front Command until full ceasefire compliance is verified.

PM Netanyahu is expected to make a public statement later today. The government concluded the statement by calling the operation a “tremendous success” that restored Israel’s strategic deterrence and secured “the eternity of Israel.”

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