Israel-Iran ceasefire teeters as fresh strikes trigger accusations, U.S. rebuke

The fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, is already showing signs of collapse just hours after it was declared.

Despite public commitments from both countries to end the 12-day war, renewed hostilities have erupted, sparking fears of a swift return to full-scale conflict.

In the tense hours leading up to the truce, both nations traded heavy fire. Minutes before the ceasefire’s 7:30 a.m. implementation, an Iranian ballistic missile struck a residential building in Beersheba, southern Israel, killing four civilians, according to Israeli emergency services.

Shortly after the truce took effect, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported new missile launches from Iranian territory. The military said air defense systems were activated and civilians were ordered to take shelter.

“The IDF is responding to what we consider a serious violation of the ceasefire,” a military spokesperson said, vowing retaliation.

Iran denied launching any post-truce attacks, accusing Israel of seeking to provoke further escalation. In a statement from its Supreme National Security Council, Iran warned that:

READ ALSO: Israel, Iran agree to Trump-brokered ceasefire

“Any further aggression will be met with a decisive and timely response by Iran.”

The council also accused Israel and its “terrorist supporters” of undermining the fragile peace.

A visibly frustrated President Trump slammed both nations for undermining what he called a historic opportunity to end the fighting.

“Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before,” Trump told reporters before departing for a NATO summit in the Netherlands.

He added bluntly: “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard, they don’t know what the f**k they are doing.”

Taking to Truth Social, Trump issued a sharp warning directed at Israel:

“ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO, IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!”

The ceasefire, announced Monday night, followed days of U.S.-led diplomatic efforts involving backchannel talks with Iran and direct communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

But with casualties mounting and missile alerts still active in parts of Israel, analysts now question whether the agreement will hold.

“This ceasefire may already be in name only,” said Dr. Leila Shafie, a Middle East conflict analyst. “What’s unfolding now is a dangerous game of brinkmanship, and the window for de-escalation is rapidly closing.”

As of Tuesday evening, tensions remain high, and the region watches with growing anxiety as two longtime adversaries teeter on the edge of renewed war