How Trump Cajoled Iran and Israel into a Cease-Fire and Forced Them to Comply

Diplomats who would normally provide talking points for calls with regional leaders weren't asked for help

- Yaroslav Trofimov, Alexander Ward, Jared Malsin & Summer Said

It began with a ferocious weekend assault on Iranian nuclear sites by U.S. stealth bombers. What came next was a stunning display of behind-the-scenes diplomacy, a telegraphed missile attack on an American military base and an expletive-laced tirade by President Trump aimed at the leaders of Israel and Iran.

The result by Tuesday morning: a cease-fire between Iran and Israel. It remains to be seen how long the truce will hold, and whether the U.S. and its allies will be able to use the leverage gained by the American and Israeli strikes to reach a diplomatic deal that prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon in coming years.

Yet, the rapid move from a surprise airstrike to a cease-fire, with major policy pivots announced via social-media posts that gave whiplash to friends and foes alike, has showcased Trump's unorthodox approach to wielding power.

It isn't just allies who were bypassed. U.S. officials who would normally play a role during such a crisis were also left out of the loop, administration officials said, a sign of how narrow is the circle of advisers Trump trusts.

Almost immediately after the American B-2 strikes, Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and told him it was time to end the war, a senior administration official said. Trump's message: The U.S. had completed its military mission and would cease offensive operations and Israel needed to do the same, the official said.

Vice President JD Vance has described the events of recent days as a new American foreign-policy doctrine focused on clearly defining national interests, aggressively negotiating to achieve them and the use of overwhelming force if necessary.