Fresh explosions hit Israeli cities and countries across the Middle East this morning as the region waited for the ‘complete ceasefire’ that US President Donald Trump said would come into effect today.
Israel–Iran updates
Trump said late last night that Iran would announce a ceasefire at 5am UK time. But as that hour passed, missles fired by Tehran continued to rain death on Israel, leaving at least four dead.
Since June 13, the tumultuous region has seen Iran and Israel send wave after wave of drones and missiles at each other, killing civilians across both nations and further escalating the risk of an all-consuming conflict.
Qatar was yesterday dragged into the conflict, after the American Al-Udeid airbase there was attacked by Iranian missiles.
It appeared last night that the so-called ’12-Day War’ may be coming to an end, after Trump claimed the countries had agreed a ‘complete and total ceasefire’.
But, even as Iranian State TV declared the ceasefire had begun, the missile strikes continued. At least six waves were fired at cities including Beersheba, killing several people.
Israel–Iran war’s ceasefire
Earlier, Donald Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform announcing the ceasefire and that both sides will remain ‘peaceful and respectful’.
He wrote at 11pm BST: ‘Congratulations to everyone! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a complete and total ceasefire (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!) for 12 hours, at which point the war will be considered ended!’
The ceasefire was set to kick in at 5am UK time today (12am NY time; 2pm Sydney time), giving both Israel and Iran just a few hours to wrap up military hostilities.
As it is, the conflict doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
