Israel’s Defense Minister has ordered the army to “respond forcefully” after claiming Tehran has violated the US President’s ceasefire declaration. This immediate escalation threatens to derail the fragile truce and intensify the 12-day conflict.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated he had instructed the military to “respond forcefully to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire with powerful strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran.” This directive followed air raid sirens in northern Israel and reports of two intercepted Iranian missiles.
The US President had announced the ceasefire just after 5 am BST, urging both warring parties not to violate it. While both Israel and Iran had publicly accepted the truce, the immediate allegations and retaliatory orders highlight the immense challenges in securing a lasting peace.
The conflict’s preceding days saw significant violence, including extensive Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and Iranian missile barrages that resulted in casualties in southern Israel. The current developments suggest a precarious situation, with both sides remaining on high alert and poised for further action.