A tense calm swept across the Middle East Tuesday as a cease-fire between Israel and Iran went into effect, nearly two weeks after deadly clashes shook the region. But the peace proved brittle almost immediately, as reports of missile activity threatened to unravel the diplomatic pause.
The Cease-Fire That Couldn’t Hold
Early Tuesday, a U.S.-brokered truce appeared to halt 12 days of heavy fighting. Both nations had suffered losses, and global concern over the escalating conflict had intensified. President Trump, mediating the deal, urged Israel and Iran to honor the agreement and warned that any breach could reignite hostilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel accepted the proposal, asserting that objectives had been met but promising decisive action against any violations.
Missiles and Rising Tensions
Within hours, the truce’s fragility became apparent. Israeli sources reported multiple missile launches from Iran, triggering air-raid sirens and forcing thousands into shelters. A strike in Beersheba reportedly killed at least four civilians, raising alarm across the region.
Iranian media denied launching attacks, instead accusing Israel of continued strikes inside its territory. Meanwhile, Israeli military officials claimed to have neutralized missile launchers in western Iran, warning that the country remained ready to respond if the cease-fire was broken. The rapid back-and-forth highlighted the difficulty of verifying events on the ground and the high stakes of this tentative agreement.
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