U.S. President Donald Trump voiced sharp criticism of both Israel and Iran on Tuesday, accusing them of violating a ceasefire he brokered just hours earlier. Trump singled out Israel, expressing displeasure over its military actions against Tehran despite the truce.
Before leaving for a NATO summit in The Hague, Trump posted a warning on his Truth Social platform: “Israel. Do not drop those bombs. If you do it, it is a major violation. Bring your pilots home, now!” He told reporters he was “not happy” with either side, especially Israel, which he said launched an intense bombing campaign immediately after the ceasefire deal was struck.
Disputed Violations and Escalation
Iran denied Israeli claims that it breached the ceasefire, dismissing reports of missile attacks as baseless. However, after Israel reported missile launches from Iran that triggered air raid sirens in northern Israel, Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered retaliatory strikes on key sites in Tehran.
Israel claimed to have intercepted most of the missiles and said it would respond forcefully to any further violations. Iranian officials maintained their position, stating they would only halt attacks if Israel ceased its aggression.
Ceasefire Claims and Confusion
The ceasefire, mediated by Trump and backed by efforts from U.S. and Qatari officials, was intended as a phased truce. Israel stated it had achieved its military objectives against Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities and accepted the U.S. proposal. Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed a willingness to halt hostilities, framing it as a national decision after delivering a “proportional” response to Israeli and U.S. strikes.
Yet, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied that a formal agreement had been reached, insisting Iran would stop only if Israel ended its operations.
Regional and International Reactions
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the ceasefire as a positive step, urging both sides to adhere to it. Pakistan expressed deep concern over the escalation and called for restraint and dialogue.
Meanwhile, casualties continued to mount. Iranian media reported civilian deaths from Israeli airstrikes in Gilan province and damage to Tehran’s Evin Prison. Israeli cities, including Beersheba, also suffered casualties from Iranian missile strikes.
Political Fallout and Ongoing Tensions
Trump’s decision to join Israel in attacking Iranian nuclear sites stirred controversy at home. Democratic lawmakers introduced a resolution seeking to limit Trump’s military powers, arguing that his actions lacked congressional approval. Despite Iran’s denials of a weapons program, Trump and Israeli officials claimed the strikes dismantled Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
With both sides trading accusations and military actions, the region remains on edge, and prospects for sustained peace appear uncertain.
