President Trump Calls Israeli PM, Vice President Vance Communications With Iran

White House. (Wikimedia Commons/Matt H. Wade)

JAKARTA - A senior White House official revealed efforts to reach the Iran-Israel ceasefire, with United States President Donald Trump calling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, while his team, including Vice President JD Vance, held talks with Tehran.

The official, who provided details of the ceasefire on condition of anonymity, said Israel agreed as long as Iran did not launch a new attack.

On the other hand, Iran hinted there would be no further attacks, the official said.

Vice President Vance, Foreign Minister Marco Rubio and US special envoy Steve Witkoff were involved in direct and indirect communications with Iran, the official said.

President Trump said earlier on Monday the "complete and total" ceasefire between Israel and Iran would take effect in the coming hours, moments after both sides threatened to carry out a new attack.

Tehran launched missiles into US airbases in Qatar and Iraq after US bombers dropped a 30,000-pound bomb into Iran's underground nuclear facility over the weekend.

The official said President Trump called for negotiations with Israel and Iran immediately following the US attack.

"He directed his team on Saturday night: 'Let's talk on the phone with Iran,'" the official said.

"'Relation to me Aunt. We will make peace,'" the official said, citing President Trump.

Iran and the United States are known to have held five rounds of negotiations in order to restore the nuclear deal left by President Trump in the first period of his government in 2018.

Israel launched airstrikes in the "Raising Lion" operation on June 13 which it claimed targeted Iranian nuclear and military facilities. Tehran responded to that by launching attacks on a number of targets in Israeli cities.

On June 21, the United States launched a "Midnight Hammer" operation on the target of Iran's nuclear facilities, including underground facilities in Fordow. Iran responded to this by attacking US military bases in the Middle East.

The ceasefire, if successful, could defuse the criticism and reinforce President Trump's depiction of himself as a peaceful carrier.

The ceasefire emerged from a day-to-day conversation by President Trump in the Oval Room. The president spoke directly with PM Netanyahu, who has been a supporter of greater US military involvement during the conflict.

President Trump has "shown self-control" and explains he is safeguarding US interests as the center of purpose, the official said.