Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has accused Iran of violating the recently announced ceasefire and has ordered the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to retaliate with “intense strikes” on regime targets in Tehran, The Times of Israel reported.
The statement came after Iran launched two ballistic missiles toward Israel, despite the truce. Both missiles were intercepted by Israeli air defences.
“In response to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire, I have instructed the IDF to carry out intense strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran,” Katz declared.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir also issued a stern warning during an ongoing assessment, stating: “In light of the grave violation of the ceasefire by the Iranian regime, we will strike with force.”
Earlier, the IDF’s Home Front Command announced that residents in northern Israel could safely exit bomb shelters following the interception. However, prior to that, sirens had sounded in the region, prompting renewed shelter-in-place alerts due to fresh missile fire from Iran.
The latest escalation comes shortly after Israel agreed to a bilateral ceasefire proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump, who had announced a “complete and total ceasefire” between Israel and Iran to end the ongoing conflict.
Trump stated that the ceasefire would be implemented in two phases: “Iran will start the ceasefire, followed by Israel upon the 12th hour, and by the 24th hour, the 12-Day War will officially end.”
The conflict began on June 13, when Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion”, targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites. Iran retaliated with “Operation True Promise 3”, unleashing drones and missiles on Israeli military infrastructure.
Tensions reached new heights after the United States launched precision airstrikes under “Operation Midnight Hammer” on Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran, in turn, struck US military bases in Qatar and Iraq, including the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest American installation in the region.
While a ceasefire had raised hopes for de-escalation, Israel’s leadership now insists it will “respond forcefully to any violation,” casting doubt over the fragile truce’s survival.
