Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to launch a forceful retaliation after Iran fired two ballistic missiles at Israel, violating the recently brokered ceasefire. The missiles, launched shortly after the truce was meant to take effect, were successfully intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems.

In a statement issued this morning, Katz said the IDF had been directed to carry out “intense strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran,” characterizing Iran’s actions as a “blatant breach” of the ceasefire agreement. The directive follows a high-level security assessment attended by Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

The ceasefire, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump just a day earlier, was intended to end nearly two weeks of hostilities between Israel and Iran. However, tensions flared again almost immediately, with missile sirens sounding across northern Israel on Tuesday and the subsequent confirmed attack from Iran.

This latest development escalates fears that the fragile ceasefire could collapse entirely, drawing both countries back into open conflict. Military officials in Israel have indicated that operations targeting high-value regime assets in Tehran may commence within hours, pending further strategic assessments.

As the situation deteriorates, global powers are urging restraint, while regional actors prepare for potential spillover effects. The international community remains on edge, closely monitoring what could become a renewed and intensified phase of the conflict.

Senior Iranian nuclear scientist and top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officer Mohammad Reza Sedighi Saber was killed in an Israeli airstrike on northern Tehran, Iranian media confirmed on Tuesday. The strike took place just hours before Iran and Israel accepted a ceasefire proposal mediated by US President Donald Trump, bringing a temporary halt to a 12-day military conflict.

Saber, a key figure in Iran’s nuclear weapons research program, was reportedly targeted in a precision strike that also hit infrastructure near the Fordow uranium enrichment facility and Evin Prison — a site infamous for detaining political prisoners and dissidents. The airstrike has drawn strong reactions from within Iran, where government officials described the act as a deliberate provocation intended to derail peace efforts.

The attack was part of a broader Israeli operation that unfolded shortly before the ceasefire was announced. In retaliation, Iran launched a wave of missiles toward Israeli cities and targeted the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which hosts a major US military presence. The strikes intensified already heightened tensions, though no casualties were reported at the US facility.

Despite the ceasefire officially going into effect, the situation remains volatile. Military analysts warn that such high-profile assassinations could lead to renewed hostilities or undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region.

As both sides assess their strategic positions, the international community remains watchful of further developments, concerned that this fragile ceasefire could unravel under the weight of recent escalations.

Northern Israel has been rocked by fresh missile attacks as sirens blared across multiple cities and towns, signaling a large-scale strike launched from Iranian territory. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed over 100 impact points across the region, with real-time maps showing widespread distribution of the missile hits. Emergency services have been deployed, and residents have been instructed to remain in shelters while air defense systems intercept ongoing threats.

The renewed escalation comes less than 12 hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a dual-phase ceasefire between Iran and Israel, aimed at ending nearly two weeks of hostilities. Under the ceasefire framework, both nations were to observe two 12-hour periods of non-aggression starting midnight. However, Iran’s actions appear to have breached this arrangement, raising questions about the ceasefire’s viability.

Israeli officials have yet to officially declare the ceasefire nullified, but military sources indicate that retaliatory operations are underway. This flare-up follows a similar wave of aggression on June 15, when Iran fired more than 100 missiles at major Israeli cities including Haifa and Tel Aviv. That attack resulted in at least three fatalities and more than 100 injuries, according to Israeli emergency services. One missile ignited a blaze near Haifa’s oil refinery, causing extensive damage.

Security analysts warn of a potential chain reaction. According to a 2023 study in the Journal of Conflict Resolution, similar events in the past have led to a 72% increase in cross-border missile exchanges within days of the initial attack.

As of now, no fatalities have been reported in the current round of strikes, but authorities are maintaining a state of high alert. The IDF has advised all civilians in the north to remain in protected areas, while the international community closely monitors what may become another dangerous chapter in the Iran-Israel conflict.

The 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran took a dramatic and confusing turn late Monday, after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly declared a “complete and total ceasefire” between the two adversaries—only for Iran to swiftly deny any such agreement. The conflicting signals have deepened uncertainty in an already volatile Middle East, leaving diplomats and global leaders scrambling for clarity.

Trump Declares War Over on Social Media

In a highly publicized statement on his platform Truth Social, President Trump said both Israel and Iran had agreed to a phased ceasefire. “Officially, Iran will start the ceasefire and, upon the 12th hour, Israel will start the ceasefire and, upon the 24th hour, an official end to the 12-day war will be saluted by the world,” Trump wrote. He hailed the agreement as a major breakthrough, crediting the “courage and intelligence” of both nations for averting a broader regional disaster.

Iran Denies Any Agreement, Then Halts Strikes

However, shortly after the announcement, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi denied that any ceasefire deal had been finalized. He insisted that Iran’s position remained unchanged—demanding a halt to what it described as Israel’s “illegal aggression”—and clarified that Iran would not make any unilateral decisions until further consultations. Nevertheless, Iran later confirmed that its military operations ceased at 4 a.m. Tehran time. Araghchi thanked the armed forces for their “maximum deterrence” and readiness until the last moment.

Supreme Leader and President Respond

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei weighed in with a stern message, emphasizing that Iran had not surrendered and would continue to protect its sovereignty. “The Iranian people are not afraid. They have endured much and will always resist oppression,” he said.

President Masoud Pezeshkian also reiterated that Iran did not seek war but would not tolerate foreign attacks. “We have not started this war, but we will answer every act of aggression,” he declared, shortly before Iran’s missile strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar.

Iran Strikes U.S. Base in Qatar After Israeli Drone Attack

Just hours before the ceasefire declaration, Iran launched over a dozen missiles at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, in response to what it called illegal U.S. and Israeli military actions. The attack followed a reported Israeli drone strike on Tehran’s Evin prison—a facility run by the IRGC and known for holding political prisoners—which triggered a third wave of Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israeli cities under Operation “True Promise 3.”

While Qatar condemned the missile attack, its defense officials confirmed that most projectiles were intercepted. The U.S. military reported that 13 out of 14 missiles were shot down, and no American or Qatari personnel were injured.

Trump Downplays Iranian Strikes, Credits Qatar’s Role

Following the Iranian missile launch, Trump dismissed the effectiveness of the attack, calling it a “very weak response.” He thanked Iran for providing early warning and praised the Emir of Qatar for helping to de-escalate tensions. “No lives were lost, and nobody was injured. That is the most important thing,” he said, suggesting that peace was now achievable.

Concerns Over Russian Nuclear Rhetoric

In a separate development, Trump criticized former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev over reports suggesting Russia might help Iran acquire nuclear warheads. Calling the suggestion “reckless,” Trump demanded clarification, warning that such escalation could trigger a broader global crisis.

What Lies Ahead?

While military operations have halted—for now—the ambiguity surrounding the ceasefire raises serious questions about long-term stability. Trump’s announcement, without formal backing from Iran, underscores the fragility of diplomatic efforts in the region. Analysts warn that the involvement of multiple state actors, nuclear concerns, and lack of a formal framework could quickly unravel any gains made.

The world remains on edge as the fog of this 12-day war lingers. With conflicting narratives, geopolitical maneuvering, and unresolved grievances, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether this moment marks the end of a war—or merely a pause in a wider conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a phased-in ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel, formally ending what he termed “The 12 Day War.” The ceasefire comes just hours after Iran launched missile strikes at the American military base in Qatar, in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Trump declared the truce on social media, stating that Iran would begin the ceasefire in the first 12 hours, followed by Israel in the next 12, culminating in a full cessation of hostilities within 24 hours. “A complete and total ceasefire,” he said, congratulating both nations for ending a conflict that, in his words, “could have destroyed the entire Middle East.”

The ceasefire was facilitated by Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, following discussions with both Iranian officials and Israel. Trump praised Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for his mediation efforts, adding that no American or Qatari personnel were harmed in Iran’s missile attack on al-Udeid Air Base.

Iran fired over a dozen missiles at the U.S. base late Monday, responding to U.S. B2 bomber raids and Tomahawk missile strikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—three of Iran’s most critical nuclear facilities. Trump had earlier claimed that these sites were “obliterated,” significantly setting back Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also hailed the progress, stating that Israel was close to achieving its core objectives: the neutralization of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. He emphasized that Israel would avoid a “war of attrition” and would halt its campaign once its strategic aims were fulfilled.

Meanwhile, U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance described the ceasefire as a “reset moment” for the Middle East, asserting that Israel had achieved an important military victory. He added that while regime change in Iran was not a U.S. military goal, the administration would support any peaceful movement in that direction.

Iran’s acceptance of the ceasefire followed backchannel talks initiated by Qatar after the missile exchange. The arrangement appears to reflect growing regional exhaustion with protracted conflict and signals a shift toward diplomacy.

Qatar has since reopened its airspace, and normalcy has returned across its cities, despite briefly elevated security concerns. Its Foreign Ministry called for a renewed commitment to peace and negotiations, urging all sides to refrain from further military action.

The ceasefire brings temporary relief to a volatile region, though analysts caution that long-term peace will depend on sustained dialogue and mutual restraint.