Fragile Truce Between Iran and Israel Begins Amid Mutual Accusations

Photo created by the newspaper Sona Times.

The bilateral ceasefire between Iran and Israel, announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday evening and officially in effect as of 12:00 a.m. Tuesday (New York time), began under a cloud of fresh accusations and military alerts from both sides.

Terms of the Agreement

Trump declared the ceasefire “full and complete,” urging both nations to respect it unconditionally. Israeli officials stated that their main goals — primarily weakening Iran’s nuclear and ballistic capabilities — had been achieved, prompting agreement to the truce in coordination with the White House. While Iran did not formally sign on, its leadership signaled it would halt attacks if Israel also ceased hostilities.

A Rocky Start

Less than three hours into the truce, Israeli authorities reported the interception of incoming Iranian missiles, activating sirens in several regions. In turn, Iran accused Israel of launching three separate waves of airstrikes on its territory, including early morning attacks, which Tehran claimed were clear violations of the truce.In response, Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) to retaliate “with strength” against any breach.

International Response

Trump expressed frustration with both sides but notably directed a stern message to Israel:

“Israel, stop dropping those bombs … Bring your pilots home now.”Iran has denied launching any missiles post-truce and claims that the explosions reported were due to continued Israeli attacks beyond the agreed ceasefire time.

Current Status

• Truce remains fragile: Each side claims the other has violated the agreement, increasing the risk of escalation.

• Nuclear talks on hold: Iran has conditioned its return to nuclear negotiations on the cessation of Israeli attacks. Meanwhile, Israel insists it will not stop until Iran’s military threat is fully dismantled.

• Casualties and damage: Airstrike data shows that over 430 Iranians — including soldiers, nuclear scientists, and civilians — have been killed, with independent sources placing the number closer to 639. Israel has reported 24–25 deaths from Iranian strikes, in addition to hundreds of injuries.

What Lies Ahead

Factor	Description
Ceasefire durability	Every incident increases the chance of a return to full-scale conflict.
U.S. and diplomatic role	Trump said he would decide on possible military involvement within two weeks. European powers are pushing for renewed nuclear talks, but Iran refuses to negotiate under fire.
Regional threats	So far, groups like Hezbollah and Iraqi militias have not directly intervened, but the potential for escalation remains high.