Netanyahu instructs ministers not to comment on Iran ceasefire
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Israeli PM Netanyahu instructs ministers to remain silent on Iran amid reports that "Israel" accepted a US-Qatari-brokered ceasefire.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a statement during a visit to the site of the Weizmann Institute of Science, which was hit by Iranian missiles, in the city-settlement of Rehovot, near Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, on June 20, 2025. (AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed members of his government not to comment publicly on the latest developments concerning Iran, following a four-hour meeting of the political-security cabinet.
According to Israeli media outlet Ynet, the cabinet session concluded without a formal statement, after which Netanyahu immediately convened the smaller war management cabinet. Present at the closed-door meeting were Security Minister Israel Katz, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and Shas party leader Aryeh Deri.
Netanyahu agreed to ceasefire first
This comes amid US President Donald Trump announcing a supposed ceasefire agreement between Iran and "Israel", describing it as a "complete and total" halt to hostilities. The ceasefire was reportedly first conveyed to Netanyahu during a phone call with Trump earlier in the day. The Israeli prime minister reportedly agreed to the ceasefire. Later, Trump reportedly requested the help of the Qatari Prime Minister, Mohammad bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, to convince Iran to do the same.
A senior White House official confirmed to Israeli outlets that the US played a central role in mediating the truce, with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff all involved in negotiations with the Iranian side.
According to the official, "Israel" agreed to the ceasefire on the condition that Iran refrains from launching any further attacks. In turn, Iran reportedly signaled to Washington that it has no intention of escalating the conflict further.
No official statements yet from both sides
While President Trump hailed the agreement as marking the end of a "12 Day War," Israeli officials have remained tight-lipped, reflecting apparent uncertainty within the Israeli leadership over the ceasefire. A spokesperson for the Israeli military did not comment on questions about the ceasefire when asked by The New York Times.
Additionally, Iranian authorities have yet to make an official statement about the US president's claims.
