Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday that he had ordered the military to target sites in Tehran after Iran launched missiles, breaching a ceasefire that had been established following 12 days of conflict, The Caspian Post reports citing foreign media.
"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 Israeli military confirmed it was working to intercept Iranian missiles after detecting a launch. The attack came hours after Israel had announced a ceasefire, stating it had achieved its objectives in the bombing campaign launched against Iran on June 13.
"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," prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.
"Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defence and their participation in eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat," Netanyahu added.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier that Iran would stop its retaliatory strikes provided Israel ceased attacks by 4:00 a.m. Tehran time.
US president Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire was in effect, urging both Iran and Israel not to violate the agreement. "THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
The US president had earlier stated that the ceasefire would be a phased 24-hour process starting around 0400 GMT Tuesday. Under the plan, Iran would first halt its operations, with Israel following 12 hours later.
Despite the announcement, Israeli emergency services reported that four people were killed in an Iranian missile strike. State media in Iran had earlier reported that waves of missiles were heading toward Israel.
Neither Iran nor Israel confirmed the agreement referenced by Trump. Shortly before his announcement, foreign minister Araghchi had said: "as of now, there is NO 'agreement' on ceasefire or cessation of military operations".
"However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 a.m. Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards," he said on social media.
Sirens were activated in northern Israel around the same time Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported incoming missile waves.
At least four people were killed in a multi-wave Iranian missile attack just before the truce was expected to take effect. The Magen David Adom rescue service said three people were declared dead in Beersheba, while a fourth fatality was later added to its figures.
Explosions were also reported overnight in Tehran, with blasts in the north and central parts of the city described by AFP journalists as some of the most intense since hostilities began.
