Amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, a ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump between Israel and Iran has faltered within hours of its announcement, casting doubt on efforts to de-escalate the latest round of hostilities.
The White House had earlier announced a “complete and total ceasefire,” reached through intense diplomatic backchannels involving Qatar. The agreement, which was to take effect in phases—first with Iran halting missile strikes, followed by Israel’s response within 12 hours—was hailed as a breakthrough in preventing wider regional conflict.
However, the fragile truce was quickly undermined. Just hours after the ceasefire was due to begin, Israel reported incoming missile attacks from Iranian territory. One of the strikes reportedly hit the city of Beersheba, killing at least four civilians and wounding several others. Israel responded with airstrikes on targets in Tehran and other strategic locations, reaffirming its stance that any violation of the truce would be met with force.
Iranian state media, meanwhile, denied launching any fresh attacks post-ceasefire, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating there was “no formal agreement” in place. He emphasized that Tehran had only expressed willingness to cease fire if Israel initiated the process first—something he claimed had not occurred.
The contradiction in narratives has left observers uncertain about the true status of the ceasefire. President Trump, speaking from the White House, maintained that both sides had “agreed in principle” to the truce and accused Iran of acting in bad faith. “We want peace, but we will not tolerate deceit or continued aggression,” he said.
International reactions have been mixed. While the announcement initially prompted a drop in global oil prices and a rally in U.S. stock futures, analysts were quick to note the precariousness of the agreement. Without clearly defined terms and independent verification mechanisms, the ceasefire appears to lack the necessary foundation to hold.
Military analysts warn that unless both sides recommit to de-escalation with transparency and enforcement measures, the situation could spiral into a broader conflict with severe humanitarian and geopolitical consequences.
In the meantime, the U.S. and regional partners including Qatar are expected to continue shuttle diplomacy to salvage what remains of the ceasefire and press for a more durable resolution.
The incident underscores the volatile nature of Iran-Israel relations and the significant challenge facing President Trump’s administration as it seeks to contain the conflict and prevent a wider war in the region.
