ISLAMABAD:Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, announced on Tuesday that he has directed the military to launch strikes on Tehran in response to alleged missile launches by Iran, which he said violated the ceasefire recently announced by US President Donald Trump.
The alleged missile activity occurred just hours after Trump declared, “THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!”
However, Iranian authorities formally denied any post-ceasefire missile launches and stated that no projectiles were fired towards Israel in recent hours, according to Iran’s Nour News.
High-Intensity Retaliation Ordered
Katz emphasized that Israel would proceed with “high-intensity operations targeting regime assets and terror infrastructure in Tehran.”
He described Iran’s actions as a “blatant violation” of the US-brokered truce.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirmed that the country had achieved its military goals — dismantling Iran’s nuclear and missile threats — and thanked Trump and the United States for their support during the operation.
Iran’s Defiance and Ongoing Tensions
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council claimed it had forced Israel into a ceasefire and warned that its forces remain at the ready to respond to any future aggression.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reiterated that Iran would halt retaliatory attacks only if Israel ceased its aggression by 4:00 a.m. Tehran time.
He stressed that Iran’s nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes and reiterated its denial of seeking nuclear weapons.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, both nations have presented conflicting narratives, casting doubt on its durability.
Global markets initially responded positively, with stock indices rising and oil prices falling, in anticipation of a lasting truce following the US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
However, the renewed military tension reveals the deep mistrust between the two nations.
Analysts warn that any further escalation could destabilize an already fragile regional peace — and call for renewed diplomatic efforts to secure a genuine, lasting cessation of hostilities.
