In yet another twist to the tense standoff, Iran has flatly rejected Israel’s claims that it broke the new ceasefire by launching missiles right after the deal was announced.
Iran’s state TV and news sites quickly called the story fake, insisting Tehran is sticking to the truce. A semi-official outlet even posted on Telegram that the rumor about Iran firing at “occupied territories” after agreeing to stop fighting was pure fiction.
But despite Tehran’s denials, the mood in Israel remains edgy. Defence Minister Israel Katz didn’t waste time ordering fresh strikes deep into Tehran, claiming they’d caught Iran firing missiles toward northern Israeli cities. Sirens wailed and people rushed to shelters until the all-clear came. Some Israeli outlets said two missiles were launched — but Iran still says, “Not true.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Israel’s firebrand Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threw shade at Iran on X, promising Tehran would “tremble” if it crossed the line again.
On paper, Iran’s top security council says they signed off on a ceasefire because their retaliation had sent a clear message. They claim they hammered Israel and even hit a US base in Qatar to prove their point. Still, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran won’t hesitate to hit back again if Israel keeps bombing.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu went on record praising Trump for brokering the deal and said Israel basically crushed Iran’s nuclear plans and missile threats. He told his cabinet the mission was complete but warned Tehran not to test their patience.
Global leaders chimed in too: Germany gave a thumbs-up to the truce, calling it a step toward a calmer Middle East. Pakistan, on the other hand, urged everyone to cool down and avoid dragging the whole region into deeper chaos.
But peace feels distant. An Israeli airstrike wrecked a prison in Tehran and hit homes in Iran’s Gilan province, leaving civilians dead and wounded. Even after Trump’s flashy “12-day war is over” post, missiles keep flying, and ordinary people keep paying the price.
How long this uneasy pause will last? Nobody knows.