Donald Trump hails 'complete and total ceasefire' between Israel and Iran as President declares '12-day war' OVER

"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," Trump said.

The US Commander-in-Chief warned that without an end to hostilities, a war could have raged between Israel and Iran "that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East".

"But it didn’t, and never will," he added.

Crucial in securing the ceasefire was Qatar's Prime Minister - who had been briefed of Monday's Iranian missile attacks on a US base on his own soil a few hours prior.

He is said to have secured Tehran's agreement to Trump's proposal after missiles rained down over Doha following a call with the President and his Vice President, JD Vance.

Similarly before Trump's statement, Israel had hinted that the country was looking to wrap up its campaign in Iran soon, and had passed the message on to the US.

Trump's full message reads: "CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE!

"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!

THE '12-DAY WAR' COMES TO A CLOSE - AS IT HAPPENED:

• JUNE 13 - Israel kills Iran's military leader in devastating overnight missile blitz
• JUNE 15 - Iran launches new wave of missiles as Middle East descends into all-out war
• JUNE 22 - Donald Trump BOMBS Iran as Tehran 'bullies' consider 'all options' after US strikes
• JUNE 22 - 'We've taken the bomb right out of their hands!' Trump mocks Iran as he hails 'spectacular success'
• JUNE 23 - Trump SPLITS with US officials to call for Iran 'regime change' as furious Tehran considers revenge
• JUNE 23 - Iran attacks US military base in Qatar in retaliation for extraordinary American bombing raids

"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!

"God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!"

WATCH: Mark White reacts as Iranian missiles rain down over Qatar

Tensions between the two Middle Eastern heavyweights broke out into direct conflict for the first time since late last year.

Israel suspected Iran to have been days away from developing a nuclear weapon.

As a result, the Jewish state undertook a series of extraordinary attacks on Iran, essentially gaining air superiority over Tehran's forces, and decimating the Iranian armed forces' senior leadership.

The US then formally joined the conflict in the early hours of Sunday, with a squadron of B2 "Spirit" stealth bombers dropping 30,000-pound "bunker-busters" on Iranian underground nuclear facilities.

Iran then hit back on US military bases on Monday evening, raining missiles down on the Al-Udaid air base in Qatar.

It later emerged that Iran had told Qatari officials of the strikes ahead of time.

Three Iranian officials familiar with the plans said Iran "symbolically" needed to strike back at the US, but do so in a way which allowed all sides an "exit ramp".

The officials compared it to Iran's strategy in 2020, when Iran gave Iraq a "heads-up" before firing ballistic missiles at American bases following the killing of Qasem Soleimani.

The UK's line on the recent fighting has been to urge de-escalation - with the Government drawing the ire of critics for refusing to directly support or oppose American intervention.

Earlier on Monday, Downing Street said that "the Prime Minister has been consistent that de-escalation and diplomacy for him is the order of the day".

Asked whether the Government believed Iran would listen to Britain's calls to de-escalate, the spokesman added: "Well, I think our message to Iran has been very clear... It is absolutely necessary for Iran to take the opportunity presented by the US to re-enter talks, and we would urge them to do so."