Iran launches missiles at Israel as Trump's ceasefire deadline passes

Why it matters: The ceasefire is meant end a 12-day war between Israel and Iran that led to the destruction of significant parts of Iran's nuclear program by Israel and the United States.

• Trump wrote on his Truth Social account that the ceasefire begins at 12 a.m. ET. Until then, Israel and Iran will complete their final military missions that are in progress, he said.
• Trump said Iran will begin the ceasefire for 12 hours, and then Israel will begin. After 24 hours, an official end to the war will be announced.
• Trump said that during each 12-hour ceasefire, the other side "will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL."

What they're saying: "CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE," Trump wrote.

• "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,'" he added.
• Trump said the war could have gone on for years, "and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn't, and never will!"

Driving the news: On Monday, Iran launched multiple missiles against an American military base in Qatar in retaliation for the U.S. strike on its nuclear facilities over the weekend.

• No casualties were reported, and both Qatar and the Trump administration were made aware of the Iranian attack ahead of the time, sources told Axios.
• Three hours after the attack, Trump issued a statement thanking Iran for giving "early notice" for what he called a "very weak" missile attack.
• Trump's post suggested he does not intend to retaliate and draw the U.S. further into the conflict.
• "Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same," he said.

Behind the scenes: Trump's efforts to end the war began in earnest on Saturday, shortly after U.S. B-2 bombers launched 14 massive bunker-buster bombs that almost completely destroyed Iran's three main nuclear facilities.

• The president instructed his envoy Steve Witkoff to communicate to the Iranians his desire to negotiate a deal to end the war, according to a White House official.

• The Iranians refused to engage and said diplomacy would be possible only after they took their revenge by striking U.S. targets, a source with direct knowledge said.

But prior to launching its missile attack on the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Iran sent messages to the Trump administration — via Qatar — conveying when and what targets they intended to strike, a White House official said.

• Immediately after the strike, the Iranians sent another back-channel message notifying the White House that they would not conduct any further attacks on U.S. targets.
• The White House responded — again via the Qataris — saying the U.S. would not retaliate to the Iranian attack and reiterated its readiness to resume negotiations with Iran.

On Monday evening, when it became clear the Iranians were done, Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and told him he wanted the war to end, the White House official said.

• Netanyahu agreed to the ceasefire and said Israel would not conduct any more strikes as long as Iran stopped launching missiles, the White House official said.
• Trump spoke with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim al-Thani, while Vice President Vance spoke with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani, who relayed the message to Iran and finalized the terms of the ceasefire — including the time it would begin.

When it was all agreed, Trump announced the ceasefire in his post on Truth Social.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information.