A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran has come into effect following days of missile exchanges, conflicting statements, and an increasingly volatile diplomatic standoff.
In a televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a “historic victory”, claiming Operation Rising Lion had destroyed Iran’s key nuclear and ballistic missile sites, including facilities in Arak, Natanz and Isfahan.
“We have achieved a historic victory,” he said. “Iran will never have a nuclear weapon… If anyone in Iran thinks of rebuilding it – we will strike again.”
He also credited Donald Trump for backing Israel, saying the US military had destroyed Iran’s Fordo enrichment site under his orders.
However, the former US president lashed out at both Israel and Iran just hours after announcing the ceasefire, expressing frustration over early breaches.
“I’m really unhappy with Israel going out this morning,” Trump said, accusing them of launching “the biggest load of bombs” he’d ever seen.
Trump later warned on Truth Social that further Israeli strikes would be a “MAJOR VIOLATION” of the truce.
Meanwhile, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would honour the ceasefire “if the Zionist regime does not violate” it. The agreement was reportedly brokered via US and Qatari mediation.
Tensions reached a peak after Iran launched missiles at a US base in Qatar, prompting travel chaos and condemnation from Gulf states. Iran claimed the strike was a response to US attacks on its nuclear sites, though no casualties were reported.
The human cost of the conflict continues to climb. According to Iranian officials, over 610 people have died in Israeli strikes since 13 June, including military commanders and nuclear scientists. Israel reports at least 28 fatalities from Iranian missile attacks — a rare breach of its air defences.
As air raid sirens continued to sound across Israel even after the ceasefire was announced, the path to peace remains uncertain. Both sides have indicated conditional acceptance of the truce, but deep mistrust and recent escalations cast doubt on its durability.
Source: ABC News
