Live updates: Trump says ceasefire between Israel and Iran ‘now in effect’

End of first chapter of this war – but not start of peace between Israel and Iranpublished at 07:56 British Summer Time

07:56 BST

Lyse Doucet
Chief international correspondent

A whiplash of war and peace.

Just two days ago, American forces crossed that thick red line when they bombed Iran’s three main nuclear sites.

It was an unprecedented moment, fraught with risk.

Alarm bells rang the world over.

Then, as expected, Iran retaliated yesterday with a playbook it has used before – telegraphing to the US through mediators that it would hit their biggest air base in the Middle East, but not cause much damage or any deaths.

Such is the speed of this moment that Qatar, whose sovereign territory was attacked, pivoted to being a mediator to help secure this ceasefire President Trump suddenly announced to the world.

Mixed with surprise there is huge relief.

Relief most of all for the people of Iran and Israel who have been under sustained fire for the last 12 days.

And there’s a collective sigh of relief across the region and far beyond.

Many would wish they could believe President Trump when he gushed about the outbreak of love, peace, and prosperity – at best, this is the end of the first chapter of this war.

It’s certainly not the beginning of peace between arch-enemies Iran and Israel.