Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced Tuesday that he had ordered military strikes on Tehran following what he called a “blatant violation” of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire by Iran. The announcement came after the Israeli military detected missile launches from Iranian territory targeting Israel, triggering a swift response.

Iran violates ceasefire

Emergency personnel work at an impacted residential site, following a missile attack from Iran on Israel, in Be’er Sheva, Israel June 24, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

“In light of Iran’s blatant violation of the ceasefire declared by the President of the United States — through the launch of missiles toward Israel — and in accordance with the Israeli government’s policy to respond forcefully to any breach, I have instructed the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) to continue high-intensity operations targeting regime assets and terror infrastructure in Tehran,” Katz said.

The missile launches occurred just hours after both sides had agreed to a ceasefire, ending nearly two weeks of hostilities. The ceasefire, which took effect after 12 days of conflict that began on June 13, had been confirmed by both Israeli and Iranian officials, with the understanding that Iran would halt retaliatory actions if Israeli airstrikes ceased.

A satellite image shows destroyed buildings at Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center, after it was hit by U.S. airstrikes, in Isfahan, Iran, in this handout image released on June 22, 2025. Blacksky/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier said that Israel had agreed to the ceasefire in coordination with U.S. President Donald Trump after achieving the objectives of its military campaign. As reported in Reuters, “In light of the achievement of the operation’s goals, and in full coordination with President Trump, Israel agreed to the President’s proposal for a mutual ceasefire,” Netanyahu said, adding: “Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defense and their participation in eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat.”

However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had warned that Tehran’s commitment to the ceasefire was conditional. He stated Iran would stop its retaliatory missile attacks if Israel ceased its bombing campaign by 4:00 a.m. local time in Tehran.

PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT

Despite this, within hours of Trump publicly declaring on Truth Social that “THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!”, the Israeli military reported it had detected incoming missiles from Iran. In response, air-raid sirens were triggered, and civilians across affected regions were ordered into protected shelters.

Emergency services were seen responding to missile impacts in several locations, including the southern city of Be’er Sheva, where residential areas were reportedly struck. No immediate casualty figures have been released.

The Israeli military has since engaged its air defense systems to intercept further threats and confirmed it is actively targeting Iranian military infrastructure.

The renewed hostilities have raised fears of a broader regional escalation and represent a significant setback for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between the two long-standing adversaries.