TEL AVIV — Israel has accused Iran of violating a newly brokered ceasefire just two hours after agreeing to the deal mediated by former U.S. President Donald Trump and Qatar, sparking fears of renewed escalation in the volatile Middle East.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed Iran launched missiles toward Israel shortly after the ceasefire took effect, vowing to respond with “intense strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran.”
Katz said on Tuesday that Iran has violated the agreement. Israel will respond forcefully.
The Israeli military reported detecting missile launches originating from Iran, though Tehran has denied any involvement, according to Iranian state television.
Iran had earlier declared it would uphold the ceasefire “as long as Israel does the same.”
The accusations came just hours after a dramatic escalation over the weekend, when Iran launched missiles at a U.S. airbase in the region in retaliation for American strikes on its nuclear facilities.
According to Qatari officials, all of Iran’s missiles targeting the U.S. base were intercepted.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials confirmed that four people were killed in the latest wave of attacks, while Persian reported that Tehran endured one of the most intense nights of the conflict, suggesting mounting casualties and damage in the Iranian capital.
The apparent breakdown of the ceasefire underscores the fragility of the agreement and raises questions about the potential for broader regional conflict.
Diplomatic efforts by Qatar and the United States to de-escalate tensions now face major setbacks, as both sides appear poised to resume hostilities.