FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 23, 2025
Contact: press@defensepriorities.org
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, President Trump claimed that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire. His announcement follows Iran firing missiles at a U.S. base in Qatar earlier today. Rosemary Kelanic, Director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, issued the following statement in response:
“President Trump went out of his way to signal that Saturday’s U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities were a targeted, one-off campaign, not the beginning of a broader effort to topple the regime. Iran seems to have taken that off-ramp and responded with an expected and telegraphed counterattack on a major U.S. military base in Qatar. Unlike more vulnerable forward operating bases in Syria and Iraq, this base is a heavily fortified installation with ample air defenses that, as expected, intercepted the strikes.
“Tehran’s choice to limit its retaliation and deescalate the crisis is rational on their part given overwhelming U.S. strength and Iranian weakness. It is also welcome news that President Trump refocused his efforts on peace not only between the U.S. and Iran, but also Israel and Iran.
“The priority is to reduce U.S. exposure and involvement in the Middle East’s regional conflicts and focus on higher priorities here at home and in Asia.”
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