Ceasefire Under Fire: Israel Accuses Iran of Missile Attack, Tehran Denies Allegations

International News: Even though a ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump has been implemented in the ongoing 12-day war between Iran and Israel, the situation on the ground remains extremely tense. On Tuesday, Israel accused Iran of violating the truce by launching a missile attack on Tel Aviv. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were ordered to launch an "intense and decisive" retaliation.

However, Iran has categorically denied these allegations. State-run Iranian media stated that no missile attack was carried out after the ceasefire came into effect and dismissed Israel’s claims as a “political excuse.”

What Happened on Tuesday? Key Developments

Just hours after the ceasefire began, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a statement saying:

"Iran violated the ceasefire declared by the U.S. by launching missiles at Israel. In accordance with the government's policy, I have directed the IDF to continue high-intensity strikes targeting Iranian regime assets and terrorist infrastructure."

Following the alleged attack, air raid sirens sounded across multiple Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, forcing residents to seek shelter in underground bunkers. The IDF claimed that Tehran launched a new barrage of missiles targeting Israeli territory.

Meanwhile, Iranian state media, including the official news agency and government-aligned outlets, denied any breach of the ceasefire, labeling Israel’s accusations as baseless and politically motivated.

Trump Announces Ceasefire with High Praise

At around 9:30 AM IST on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that both Iran and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire after reportedly completing their "final military operations." However, he did not elaborate on what those operations involved.

Trump commended both nations for their "patience, courage, and understanding," stating:

“This was a war that could have gone on for years and destroyed the entire Middle East—but it didn’t, and it never will.”

Qatar's Diplomatic Intervention Was Key

According to a news agency, the ceasefire was made possible through Qatar’s mediation and diplomatic pressure from the U.S. Diplomatic sources said that the agreement was reached in the final moments, shortly after both countries had issued threatening statements of further escalation. The intervention is believed to have averted a full-scale war in the already volatile Middle East.

Iran Already Launched Four Waves of Attacks

Prior to agreeing to the ceasefire, Iran had confirmed that it launched four phases of missile strikes on Israeli territory, resulting in the death of at least four people in southern Israel. Tehran announced the ceasefire only after these coordinated strikes.

Ceasefire Under a Cloud of Mistrust

Despite the official truce, mutual distrust and fresh accusations have cast a shadow over the ceasefire’s durability. On one hand, the diplomatic efforts by the U.S. and Qatar have been praised for temporarily halting hostilities. On the other hand, ground-level tensions remain high, with both countries maintaining a defensive posture.

Strategic experts tracking the situation in West Asia warn that if this ceasefire collapses, it could have far-reaching consequences—impacting global oil supply, international markets, and regional stability.