Ceasefire Between Israel and Iran Faces Challenges as Violations Reported
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran, intended to end 12 days of intense hostilities, began at midnight Eastern Time on June 23, 2025. The agreement, facilitated by President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, followed a period of escalating violence, including Iran’s missile strike on a U.S. air base in Qatar and Israel’s destruction of an Iranian radar array near Tehran. Both nations agreed to a phased cessation of hostilities, with Iran halting strikes at midnight ET and Israel expected to follow 12 hours later, aiming for a full cessation after 24 hours.
However, the truce was quickly marred by conflicting reports and accusations. Israel claimed that Iran violated the agreement by launching two ballistic missiles toward Israeli territory approximately three hours after the ceasefire was supposed to take effect. Iranian state television, meanwhile, asserted that the ceasefire began at 7:30 a.m. local time and denied any breach of the agreement. Explosions were reported in northern Iran shortly after the ceasefire’s start, with Iranian media describing significant blasts in Tehran and the coastal city of Babolsar.
President Trump expressed frustration with both sides, publicly rebuking Israel and Iran for what he described as violations of the truce. He urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from further retaliatory strikes, emphasizing the need for restraint and adherence to the agreement. Despite the tensions, Netanyahu stated that Israel had achieved its military objectives and accepted the ceasefire, while warning that any further violations would be met with force.
International reactions to the ceasefire have been cautiously optimistic. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi praised the U.S.-mediated effort, calling for both nations to respect the agreement. The International Atomic Energy Agency’s director general, Rafael Grossi, urged Iran to resume cooperation on its nuclear program, expressing hope that the ceasefire could open the door to renewed diplomatic engagement.
As of Tuesday morning, the ceasefire remains fragile, with both sides trading accusations and the risk of renewed violence looming. The coming hours will be critical in determining whether the truce holds and if a path toward broader de-escalation can be established.