United States President Donald Trump  says that Iran and Israel have agreed to a “complete and total” ceasefire, which will come into effect in the coming hours.

Trump’s announcement on Monday came shortly after an Iranian missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which houses US troops.

“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,’” Trump said in a social media post.

“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!”

Neither Israel nor Iran has confirmed the agreement.

Trump’s statement suggested that Iran would stop firing at Israel hours before the Israeli military ends its operations.

(Aljazeera)

Iran has launched missiles at US airbases in Qatar and Iraq in response to strikes on its nuclear sites on Saturday, state media reports

Qatar confirms the attack on the US-run Al Udeid base, calling it a “flagrant violation” and says it reserves the right to respond directly

The country has temporarily closed its airspace and US and UK citizens have been advised to shelter in place

In Washington, Donald Trump is attending a National Security Council meeting shortly, after the White House earlier said he was ‘simply raisinga question’ in floating the idea of regime change in Iran

It comes as Israel says it is targeting Tehran with “unprecedented force”, including attacks on “access routes” to the Fordo nuclear site and Evin prison.

Al Udeid, located near Qatar’s capital Doha, serves as the headquarters for US Central Command’s air operations in the Middle East and hosts nearly 8,000 US troops.

British forces also rotate through the base, sometimes referred to as Abu Nakhla Airport.

The facility currently serves as the headquarters and logistics base for US operations in Iraq and also includes the longest air landing strip in the Gulf region.

Qatar gave the United States access to the Al Udeid base in 2000. After the Americans took over as base managers in 2001, Doha and Washington inked an agreement in December 2002 that officially recognised the US military’s presence at Al Udeid facility, according to London-based intelligence firm Grey Dynamics.

In 2024, CNN reported that the US reached an agreement to extend its military presence in Qatar for another 10 years.

(BBC)

Milan Rathnayake been ruled out of the second Test against Bangladesh in Colombo,  which will start on June 25, with a side strain. Left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando has been named as his replacement.

Spin-bowling allrounder Dunith Wellalage was also drafted into Sri Lanka’s squad. The 22-year-old is set to take the spot of Angelo Mathews, who had retired from Test cricket after the first Test.

Milan had briefly exited the field on the second morning in Galle, but had returned later to end the first innings with three wickets – he finished with four across the Test. He had been miserly with his economy rate, and his burst in the final session of day two ensured Bangladesh’s first-innings total remained within Sri Lanka’s reach. Then with the bat, he was part of a crucial 84-run seventh-wicket stand with Kamindu Mendis, in which the allrounder contributed with 39 off 83.

If Sri Lanka seek to replace him in the XI with another allrounder, another seam-bowling allrounder isn’t available in the squad. Wellalage and Sonal Dinusha are both useful with their left-arm spin, but with SSC pitch not as conducive to spin as Galle – which itself was unusually batter-friendly – Sri Lanka will likely want to go with extra seam-bowling option. If either were to get picked, Tharindu Rathnayake might be the odd man out. Vishwa, Asitha Fernando and Kasun Rajitha and the uncapped Isitha Wijesundara make up the pace contingent.

As for Mathews’ replacement in the XI, it’s more likely to come from one of Pasindu Sooriyabandara or Pavan Rathnayake,  both of whom have impressed domestically and with Sri Lanka A recently. Oshada Fernando is also a potential pick, having returned to the national fold following an impressive stint with Sri Lanka A towards the end of 2024.

After the second match against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka will not play another Test until next year.

Sri Lanka squad for second Test:

Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Dunith Wellalage Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Rathnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Isitha Wijesundara

(Cricinfo)