TEL AVIV — Israel has launched powerful strikes on Iranian targets in Tehran after accusing Iran of violating a recently declared ceasefire agreement. The development marks a dramatic escalation in tensions, just hours after a fragile truce brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump took effect.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday that the military had been instructed to carry out “powerful and decisive” attacks following what he described as “a clear breach” of the ceasefire by Iran.
According to Israeli military sources, several ballistic missiles were fired into northern Israel late Monday night, targeting military positions near the Galilee. While most of the missiles were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defence system, the government insists the incident constituted a deliberate attack and a violation of the ceasefire terms.
Iran, however, denied launching any missiles after the truce began, calling Israel’s claims baseless and provocative. Iranian officials accused Israel of trying to sabotage the peace process and reignite conflict. Iran’s foreign ministry said the country remained committed to the ceasefire as long as Israel upheld its end of the deal.
The now-broken ceasefire had been announced by Trump after days of indirect negotiations in Doha and was seen as a rare diplomatic breakthrough amid growing fears of full-scale war. Both countries had agreed to halt hostilities, but deep distrust on both sides kept tensions high.
The conflict, which erupted two weeks ago following a disputed Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic facility in Syria, has claimed at least 28 Israeli lives and nearly 1,000 in Iran, with many civilian casualties reported.
In the wake of Tuesday’s developments, Iranian authorities convened an emergency security meeting while Israeli jets were seen mobilising near the Lebanese and Syrian borders. There are reports of explosions near the outskirts of Tehran, although Iranian state media has not confirmed any direct hits on strategic locations.
Global leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden and UN officials, have called for immediate de-escalation. The UN Secretary-General warned that renewed hostilities could “spark a wider regional war.”
While Israel says it is defending itself from Iranian aggression, critics warn that both sides are inching closer to a prolonged and potentially uncontrollable conflict. The international community is now watching closely as the fallout from the failed truce unfolds.
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