A fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel remained in place on Tuesday despite continued tensions and accusations of violations by both sides. U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning, urging both nations to honour the truce and avoid further escalation.
Speaking before departing for a NATO summit, Trump expressed visible frustration with the ongoing hostilities, stating, “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f—- they’re doing.” He later reaffirmed the ceasefire’s viability through a social media post, saying, “ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran… the Ceasefire is in effect!”
President Trump on Israel and Iran: “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the fuck they’re doing.” pic.twitter.com/xrztmebALZ
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 24, 2025
The ceasefire followed a dramatic escalation that included U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian military and nuclear sites, prompting a retaliatory missile attack by Iran on a U.S. base in Qatar. No casualties were reported in that strike, which was preceded by an Iranian warning.
Despite these events, Israel accused Iran of further violating the truce by launching two missiles into northern Israeli airspace. Both were intercepted, and no casualties were reported. Iranian state media denied any such launches, asserting instead that Israel had struck Iranian territory during the ceasefire window.
According to state television in Iran, one Israeli strike killed a nuclear scientist, Mohammad Reza Sedighi Saber, in his father-in-law’s home. Israeli officials have not confirmed the target, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed success in dismantling elements of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Are you just gonna leave out the part where Israel hit Tehran after Trump announced the ceasefire?
pic.twitter.com/cUeyx6Lcai https://t.co/QSAMmoyzCX
— Assal Rad (@AssalRad) June 24, 2025
Netanyahu declared that Israel achieved all war aims and agreed to the ceasefire after discussions with Trump. The U.S. President reportedly told Netanyahu not to expect further American strikes and to pursue diplomatic solutions with Tehran.
A U.S. intelligence report, however, has cast doubt on the effectiveness of the American bombing campaign. According to two individuals familiar with the classified assessment by the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Iranian nuclear programme has only been set back by a few months, contradicting Trump’s claim that it was “completely and fully obliterated.” The White House dismissed the report as “flat-out wrong.”
The latest conflict began 12 days ago when Israel targeted Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, citing fears that Tehran was nearing the development of atomic weapons. Iran maintains its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
During the hostilities, Iran launched a more extensive missile barrage toward Israeli cities, including Beersheba, where 20 missiles caused multiple casualties and destruction. Human Rights Activists, a Washington-based group, reported that 974 people have died in Iran from Israeli strikes, with 3,458 wounded. Israeli casualties stand at 28 dead and over 1,000 injured.
In response to American involvement, pro-Iranian militias in Iraq attempted to strike U.S. bases. Drones targeted locations in western Iraq and near Baghdad airport. U.S. forces intercepted several of them, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attempted attacks.
The potential for broader conflict remains high, particularly if Iran were to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. China, Iran’s largest oil customer, condemned the U.S. strikes and warned of an escalating spiral of violence. Trump later indicated that the ceasefire would enable continued Iranian oil exports, easing global concerns about energy supply.
As of now, U.S. officials report the evacuation of 250 American citizens and family members from Israel. An estimated 700,000 American citizens, many of them dual nationals, remain in the country.
Despite temporary calm, the ceasefire remains precarious. While Trump reiterated he does not seek regime change in Iran, he acknowledged the chaos that could result. Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has remained defiant, rejecting any suggestion of surrender.
The international community watches with bated breath, hoping that diplomatic pressure will hold off renewed conflict in an already volatile region.
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