The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran, brokered by US President Donald Trump on June 23, 2025, hangs by a thread as both nations traded accusations of violations just hours after its implementation. On June 24, Trump lashed out at both countries, expressing fury—punctuated by expletives—over their failure to honor the truce. Despite his initial optimism, declaring the end of the “12 Day War,” explosions in Tehran and missile alerts in Israel underscored the ceasefire’s fragility. With at least 28 deaths in Israel and over 400 in Iran, including 13 children, the stakes are high. As Israel’s El Al ramps up flights to bring citizens home and global leaders urge restraint, the world watches to see if diplomacy can prevail. Here’s a deep dive into the crisis, Trump’s warnings, and what’s next for the volatile Israel-Iran conflict.
Trump’s Ceasefire: A Bold Bid for Peace
On Monday evening, June 23, 2025, Trump announced a “complete and total ceasefire” between Israel and Iran, brokered with Qatar’s help, to end a 12-day conflict that began with Israel’s surprise strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites on June 13. The truce, set to phase in over 24 hours, required Iran to halt attacks by midnight ET (4:00 AM Tehran time) and Israel to stop by noon ET Tuesday. Trump hailed it as a historic achievement, posting on Truth Social, “CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT’S TIME FOR PEACE!” He credited his administration’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities (Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan) on June 21, alongside Qatar’s mediation, for forcing both sides to the table.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed Iran’s commitment to halt attacks if Israel reciprocated, while Israel’s government, after a security cabinet meeting, agreed to the truce, claiming it had achieved its objectives of neutralizing Iran’s nuclear threat. However, the ceasefire unraveled almost immediately, with both sides pointing fingers.
Ceasefire Violations: Accusations and Explosions
Hours after the truce took effect at 7:00 AM Tehran time on June 24, Israel accused Iran of launching three missiles—one at 7:06 AM and two at 10:25 AM—violating the agreement. Two were intercepted, and one fell in an open area, causing no damage. Iran’s military denied firing any missiles post-ceasefire, with state media claiming the truce was “imposed” on Israel after Iran’s “successful” missile operations.
In retaliation, Israel’s Air Force struck a radar array near Tehran, with residents reporting two loud explosions. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had ordered “intense strikes” on Tehran, accusing Iran of “blatant violations.” However, after a tense call with Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scaled back further attacks, limiting the response to the radar strike. Trump confirmed Israel’s restraint, posting, “ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly ‘Plane Wave’ to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect!”
Trump’s frustration boiled over in remarks to reporters before boarding Air Force One for a NATO summit in The Hague. Using an expletive, he said, “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing.” He was particularly critical of Israel, accusing them of dropping “a load of bombs the likes of which I’ve never seen” right after the truce was agreed. “I’m really unhappy with Israel,” he added, warning, “DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!”
The Human Toll: Devastation on Both Sides
The 12-day conflict has been brutal. Iran’s Health Ministry reports over 400 deaths, including 13 children, and 3,056 injuries since Israel’s attacks began on June 13. The Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates a higher toll of 974 fatalities, including 268 military personnel. In Israel, 28 people have been killed in Iranian strikes, with a devastating missile attack on Beersheba claiming four lives and damaging residential buildings. Emergency workers described scenes of rubble and burned-out cars, with some residents injured despite sheltering in reinforced safe rooms.
Iran’s retaliatory strike on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on June 23, in response to US attacks on its nuclear sites, caused no casualties after Iran warned Qatar in advance. Trump thanked Tehran for the “early notice,” signaling a calibrated de-escalation. However, Israel’s pre-ceasefire strikes on Tehran were among the heaviest, with nine deaths reported in northern Iran.
Diplomacy Under Strain: Global Reactions
Global leaders urged restraint to preserve the ceasefire. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called it a “turning point” for the region, urging both sides to return to negotiations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised the truce as a “positive development,” while Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed relief that his country avoided being dragged into the conflict. China, Russia, and Pakistan condemned the US and Israeli strikes, with Pakistan proposing Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his earlier India-Pakistan ceasefire but criticizing the Iran attacks as a violation of international law.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, instrumental in brokering the deal, expressed disappointment over Iran’s attack on Al Udeid but emphasized containment. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian affirmed Iran’s commitment to the truce, provided Israel complies, and openness to dialogue to protect Iranian interests.
Israel’s Homecoming: El Al Steps Up
As the ceasefire took hold, Israel’s El Al announced plans to scale up flights to bring tens of thousands of stranded citizens home. With Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv reopening after widespread cancellations since June 13, the airline deployed its full fleet to add thousands of seats within 24 hours, easing the plight of Israelis caught abroad during the conflict.
Why This Matters
The Israel-Iran conflict, sparked by Israel’s preemptive strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, risked escalating into a regional war, especially after US involvement. Trump’s ceasefire, though shaky, is a critical step back from the brink. His direct intervention—calling Netanyahu to halt strikes and leveraging Qatar’s mediation—reflects his high-stakes gamble to assert US influence. However, mutual distrust, with Israel alleging Iranian missile launches and Iran denying violations, threatens to unravel the truce. The human cost—hundreds dead and thousands injured—underscores the urgency of diplomacy.
What’s Next?
The ceasefire’s durability remains uncertain as both sides remain on edge. Israel’s limited retaliation suggests restraint, but hardliners like Bezalel Smotrich, who vowed “Tehran will tremble,” could push for escalation. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council framed the truce as a victory, but domestic crackdowns, including 115 arrests in Kermanshah for “disturbing security,” signal internal tensions. Trump’s NATO summit discussions in The Hague, alongside Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth, will focus on stabilizing the region. With no clear agreement details and ongoing Gaza operations complicating the picture, the next 24 hours are critical.
Will Trump’s ceasefire hold, or will violations reignite the conflict? Share your thoughts on this high-stakes drama!
Disclaimer and Sources: The information in this blog is based on official announcements, live updates, and reports available as of June 24, 2025. The views expressed are for informational purposes and do not reflect official statements from all parties involved.
