Israel’s military has reported that Iran launched a series of missile attacks, resulting in the tragic loss of three lives. This occurred just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump declared a complete ceasefire between Israel and Iran, intended to bring an end to a conflict that has lasted 12 days.
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Witnesses in the region recounted hearing multiple explosions near both Tel Aviv and Beersheba. The Israeli military stated that six waves of missiles were fired by Iran, while Israel’s national ambulance service confirmed the fatalities in Beersheba, marking the first reported casualties within Israel since the ceasefire announcement.
A senior official from the White House indicated that Mr. Trump played a crucial role in negotiating the ceasefire during a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The deal hinged on Iran’s commitment to refrain from further aggression. In President Trump’s words, “On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end what should be called, ‘THE 12 DAY WAR’.”
Notably, an Iranian official confirmed Tehran’s acceptance of the ceasefire, but the country’s foreign minister asserted there would be no cessation of hostilities unless Israel ceased its attacks. Abbas Araqchi stated, “If Israel stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, Iran has no intention of continuing its response afterwards.”
Since that time, there have been no reported Israeli responses to Iran’s actions. Araqchi added in a post on X, “The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.” Furthermore, President Trump hinted that Israel and Iran might need time to conclude any ongoing military missions before the ceasefire would formally commence.
According to Iran’s semi-official SNN news agency, Tehran had launched its final missiles ahead of the ceasefire coming into effect. Following allegations that Tehran was nearing the capability to develop a nuclear weapon, Israel, with support from the United States, had initiated strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Despite these claims, Iran has consistently denied pursuing a nuclear weapons program. However, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei noted, “If we wanted to, world leaders wouldn’t be able to stop us.”
Interestingly, Israel remains the sole country in the Middle East believed to possess nuclear weapons, although it neither confirms nor denies this allegation.
During recent negotiations, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani played a pivotal role in facilitating Tehran’s agreement for the ceasefire. A White House official confirmed that U.S. officials were also engaged in both direct and indirect communications with Iranian representatives.
In the lead-up to these developments, three Israeli officials had indicated that Israel was keen to conclude its military operations in Iran and had communicated this to the United States. Reports suggested that Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed government ministers not to publicly comment on the situation.
In the financial markets, this news was met with optimism. S&P 500 futures climbed by 0.4%, indicating trader expectations for a favorable opening in U.S. stock markets. Meanwhile, U.S. crude futures dropped to their lowest levels in over a week, alleviating concerns regarding potential supply disruptions in the region.
However, signs of unrest persist. The Israeli military issued multiple evacuation warnings in Tehran, reflecting ongoing concerns. Reports from Israeli Army radio indicated alarm activations in the southern Golan Heights, signaling fears of hostile aircraft incursions.
Earlier, President Trump expressed intentions to encourage Israel to pursue peace. He downplayed Iran’s missile attack on an American airbase, which resulted in no injuries, and commended Tehran for providing advance warning of the strikes. “Iran fired 14 missiles at the U.S. air base,” he remarked, characterizing their response as “a very weak response, which we expected and have very effectively countered.”
As tensions between Iran and its Arab neighbors escalate, nations like Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE openly condemned the missile attack, emphasizing the need for dialogue and clarity in regional relations.
In the backdrop, Israel has ramped up its operations in Tehran, targeting significant facilities, including Evin prison, a notorious site for political detainees. “The military is currently striking, with unprecedented force, regime targets and governmental repression bodies in the heart of Tehran,” stated Defence Minister Israel Katz.
The serious implications of this conflict have not gone unnoticed, and many have fled Tehran due to ongoing airstrikes. With this backdrop of escalating military action, it remains to be seen what the next steps will be for both Israel and Iran.
“We did not assault anyone, and we will never accept being assaulted by anyone,” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei emphasized, reinforcing the nation’s stance. The complexities of this situation continue to unfold, leaving many to wonder about the future of peace in the region.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
