Israel’s war with Iran is “not over”, its military chief has warned, despite the newly-announced ceasefire.
The fragile truce between the two countries was announced on Tuesday morning following Israel’s intense 12-day bombing campaign that targeted Tehran’s nuclear facilities, military commanders and atomic scientists.
Eyal Zamir, Israel’s military chief of staff, said that Israel had set back Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programme “by years”, concluding a “significant chapter”.
“But the campaign against Iran is not over. We are entering a new phase,” he added. “Now the focus shifts back to Gaza – to bring the hostages home and to dismantle the Hamas regime.”
Israeli forces allegedly killed at least 46 Gazans who were trying to access aid on Tuesday, according to authorities in the Hamas-ruled Strip.
It follows weeks of controversy about the danger to civilians collecting aid under the new US-backed food distribution system, with multiple allegations of mass shootings.
Israel and Iran are now poised to re-open their airspaces as the ceasefire continues to hold and war-time restrictions are lifted on civilians in both countries.
Benjamin Netanyahu, in an address to Israelis later on Tuesday, hailed what he called a “historic victory” that will “stand for generations”.
He said Israel “has never had a better friend” than Donald Trump and said his focus now was on Israel completing its campaign against the “Iranian axis”.
But the fragility of truce, which hoped to bring an end to an intense 12-day war, had been quickly exposed immediately when Israel accused Iran of firing two ballistic missiles – a claim Iran denied.
Credit: Reuters
Israel, in fury, vowed to make “Tehran tremble”, but the US president insisted it bring its pilots home “NOW” after arguing that, in his view, both sides had violated the nascent agreement.
Reports suggested Israeli warplanes were already en route. However, in a last-ditch call between Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu, it was agreed the attacks would be scaled back. Sources later said the president had been “extremely firm” with his close ally.
The deputy head of Iran’s police intelligence unit was killed in an Israeli strike on Tehran on Tuesday morning, while a radar site was believed to be hit in the northern city of Babolsar.
As explosions rang out in the capital, Mr Trump posted online: “All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly ‘Plane Wave’ to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect!”.
The limited strikes had threatened to bring the two countries back to war, highlighting the ease in which diplomacy had been replaced by military power.
In response, Iran said its armed forces have a “finger on the trigger”, and was ready to deliver a “decisive and regretful response”.
By mid-morning, the shaky truce appeared to be holding with no new explosions reported across Iran.
State media channels started celebrating what they called a ceasefire “imposed” on Israel, while officials claimed Iran had “forced enemies to accept the halt in attacks”.
Onboard Air Force One en route to The Hague for a Nato summit, Mr Trump said it was an “honour” to “destroy” Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.
Donald Trump alongside leaders at the Nato summit, including secretary general Mark Rutte and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands – Getty Images
Claiming credit for the end to the hostilities, he said: “Both Israel and Iran wanted to stop the War, equally,” he wrote on his Truth Social Network. “It was my great honor to Destroy All Nuclear facilities & capability, and then, STOP THE WAR!”
Although the US strikes on Iran’s three most critical nuclear sites caused significant damage, according to experts, there is still concern over the fate of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and whether the country has the capabilities to still build a nuclear bomb.
08:03 PM BST
We are pausing our live coverage for now
We will back soon with more updates and analysis from the Middle East.
Here is a round-up of today’s events:
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Donald Trump declares a ceasefire has been announced between Israel and Iran
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Both sides accuse each other of breaching it
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Four are killed in southern Israel in a missile attack
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Israel strikes Iran despite Trump’s order to abide by ceasefire
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Trump demands Israeli warplanes turn back in ‘firm’ phone call
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The fragile ceasefire appears to hold
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46 Gazans are killed by Israeli forces while waiting for aid, says Gaza authorities
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Nearly 400 civilians in Iran killed in Israeli strikes throughout 12-day war, says rights group
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Trump publishes gushing message from Mark Rutte, praising his ‘extraordinary’ actions against Iran
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Trump lands in the Netherlands after refusing to say whether he was committed to Article 5
07:56 PM BST
Netanyahu hails ‘historic victory’ over Iran
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, has hailed Israel’s “historic victory” over Iran.
Speaking to the nation in a live broadcast, he said the victory will “stand for generations”.
Praising Donald Trump, who ordered strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites over the weekend, Mr Netanyahu said Israel has “never had a better friend” in the White House.
07:46 PM BST
Israel’s leaders ‘embarrassed’ by Trump’s telling-off, sources say
Israel’s leadership was shocked and “embarrassed” by Donald Trump’s strong rebuke of the country amid reports of ceasefire violations this morning, sources said.
Outside the White House, the US president said Israel and Iran “don’t know what the f— they’re doing” as he accused both sides of breaching the ceasefire agreement right after it was announced.
But he appeared to save his harshest criticism for his key ally. “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!” he wrote on Truth Social.
“They were surprised that he went and did all that in such a public way and basically switched on them very quickly,” a person familiar with the matter told NBC news, who described Israel’s top brass of being both “stunned” and “embarrassed”.
“They just ended this war on a high and then this is kind of a little … nick,” the source added.
07:29 PM BST
Iran’s airspace to re-open
Iran’s airspace will be re-opened following its ceasefire with Israel, state media reported, without giving a time.
Israel’s airport authority also announced that all flights to and from the country would resume.
Both countries’ airspaces had been been closed throughout the 12-day war that started on June 13.
07:07 PM BST
Trump arrives in the Netherlands
Donald Trump landed at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport after a six and a half hour flight from Washington.
During that time he managed to shore up a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East with a call to Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, and send ripples through waiting Nato leaders in the Hague by refusing to say he was committed to the alliance’s Article 5, its mutual defence pact.
Now it is on to the Huis Ten Bosch palace in the Hague for dinner with the King and Queen of the Netherlands.
Mr Trump skipped Tuesday’s meeting and will be on the ground for less than 24 hours.
Donald Trump exits Air Force One as he lands in the Netherlands for the Nato summit
Wearing a ‘USA’ hat, the president fist bumps the air after helping to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Iran – AP
07:02 PM BST
Israel lifts domestic restrictions linked to Iran war
Israel’s military has announced it is lifting restrictions on public gatherings, workplaces and schools it imposed during its 12-day war with Iran after a ceasefire took effect.
“All areas of the country will shift to full activity” from 8:00 pm (6pm BST) on the orders of Defence Minister Israel Katz, the military said in a statement.
The guidelines will be effective until Thursday evening when they will be reviewed.
Israel’s airport authority also announced that all flights to and from the country would resume.
06:48 PM BST
Iran-Israel conflict will hurt Russia’s war machine, say officials
Iran’s war against Israel will curtail Russia’s supplies of military hardware from the Islamic Republic, according to Western officials.
A senior Nato official said Tehran is likely to hold on to stockpiles of ballistic missiles instead of offering them up to Vladimir Putin for his war against Ukraine.
They said: “The recent hostilities that we’ve seen between Israel and Iran certainly will negatively impact Iran’s future donations, specifically missiles.”
Russia has started producing its own variants of the Iranian-produced Shahed one-way attack drones and no longer relies on Tehran for supplies of the weapon.
06:24 PM BST
Pictured: Another victim of Iran’s missile attack
Israel has announced that Noa Boguslavsky, reported to be 17 or 18, was killed in an Iranian missile strike on the southern Israeli city of Beersheba this morning.
The attack, which came just before the ceasefire took effect, marked one of the deadliest attacks on Israel since the war began.
The victims included off-duty IDF soldier Eitan Zacks, 18, and his mother Michal Zacks, 50. The fourth victim has not yet been identified.
Noa Bogoslevski was killed in an Iranian missile strike today on Beersheba
06:11 PM BST
Macron: Trump bombings have increased risk of secret uranium enrichment
Emmanuel Macron has warned of an “increased” risk that Iran could try to enrich uranium secretly following US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Israel had been bombing Iran in an offensive that began on June 13, and the United States joined the attack by striking the deeply buried Fordow complex and two other sites.
Donald Trump insisted that the US bombing mission was a success, but questions remain over the true extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear programme.
During a trip to Norway, the French president said: “This risk has indeed increased with what has happened recently.
“It is one of the main risks for the region and the international community… we must absolutely prevent Iran from going down this path.”
Mr Macron’s comments came amid claims by an expert on Iran’s nuclear programme that the regime has hidden sites housing “hundreds if not thousands” of advanced centrifuges capable of producing weapons-grade uranium.
05:39 PM BST
Trump: It was an ‘honour’ to ‘destroy’ Iran’s nuclear capability
Donald Trump called it an “honour” to destroy Tehran’s nuclear capabilities as he claimed credit for brokering a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
“Both Israel and Iran wanted to stop the War, equally,” he wrote on his Truth Social Network. “It was my great honor to Destroy All Nuclear facilities & capability, and then, STOP THE WAR!”
Although the US strikes on Iran’s three most critical nuclear sites caused significant damage, according to experts, there is still concerns over the fate of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and whether the country could still build a nuclear bomb.
05:36 PM BST
Pictured: Trump before departing to Nato summit
Donald Trump speaks to media before departing to attend the Nato Summit in The Hague – REUTERS
05:17 PM BST
Starmer: Ceasefire between Iran and Israel ‘must hold’
Keir Starmer has urged both Israel and Iran to abide by the new ceasefire, telling them that it “must hold”.
In a statement, the Prime Minister said: “The ceasefire between Iran and Israel must hold. This is an opportunity to secure much-needed stability in the Middle East.
“Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and they must now return to the table and work towards a lasting settlement. That’s the message that I’m discussing with other leaders at Nato today.”
It comes as Sir Keir has pledged to boost the UK’s overall defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP by 2030 to meet a Nato target, bringing it to the highest levels since the Cold War.
05:10 PM BST
Off-duty IDF soldier killed by Iranian missile
An off-duty Israeli soldier was killed by an Iranian missile this morning, the military has announced.
Corporal Eitan Zacks, 18, was killed in his home in the southern city of Beersheba along with two family members. A fourth person was killed in the apartment next-door.
Israel accused Iran of firing two ballistic missiles this morning, in violation of the newly-agreed ceasefire.
Cpl Zack was the only non-civilian killed in the 12-day war between Israel and Iran. After today, the death toll in Israel was raised to 28.
Cpl. Eitan Zacks was killed by an Iranian missile this morning
04:57 PM BST
Iran won’t violate ceasefire unless Israel does, says president
Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s president, has said that Tehran would not violate the ceasefire deal unless Israel does.
According to Iran’s state-run Nournews, he said: Tehran is “ready to discuss and defend the rights of the Iranian people” at the negotiating table.
“Iran will not violate the ceasefire unless the Zionist regime does so,” Mr Pezeshkian added.
04:55 PM BST
‘46 Gazans killed’ by Israeli forces while waiting for aid
At least 46 people were killed by Israeli forces while waiting for aid in Gaza on Tuesday, according to authorities in the Hamas-run Strip.
Twenty-one people were killed and around 150 wounded by Israeli fire near an aid point in central Gaza, and another 25 were killed in a separate incident in south Gaza, according to Gaza’s civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal.
“Every day we face this scenario: martyrs, injuries, in unbearable numbers,” paramedic Ziad Farhat told AFP at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza. “Hospitals cannot accommodate the number of casualties arriving.
It follows weeks of controversy about the danger to civilians collecting aid under the new US-backed food distribution system, with multiple allegations of mass shootings near aid distribution centres. On June 17, 50 Gazans were reportedly killed near Khan Younis while trying to access aid.
04:22 PM BST
Air spaces begin to open up in the Middle East
Travel is beginning to return to the Middle East as Israel and Iran both appear to hold to the truce that Donald Trump announced.
Iraq has fully opened its airspace for the first time since military hostilities began between the two regional rivals 12 days ago. Emirates airline has also resumed operations as normal.
The escalating conflict had thrown travel into chaos as many flights that travel to Europe fly over the Middle East region.
Closed airspace in many Middle Eastern countries left many people – including Iranians and Iraqis stranded either in country or abroad. Land border crossings between Turkey and Iraq saw unusually high volume.
Turkey shares a land border many countries, including Iran, Iraq and Syria.
03:53 PM BST
Pictured: Surfers in Israel take shelter amid earlier reports of Iranian missiles
Surfers take shelter as air raid sirens warn of incoming Iranian strikes in Haifa beachfront, Israel, earlier this morning – AP
03:50 PM BST
Nearly 400 civilians in Iran killed in Israeli strikes, says rights group
Israeli strikes had already killed at least 387 civilians before Monday night’s attacks, according to a US-based human rights organisation.
Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that civilian casualties also include 1,564 injured.
It added that the strikes had killed 268 military personnel and wounded 256. Another 319 people of unspecified status were also killed, and 1,638 were injured in the strikes.
The rights group said Israeli attacks have expanded to 21 provinces across Iran over the past week, severely disrupting daily life for millions of Iranians.
“Banking systems, transportation, communications, and healthcare services have been disrupted,” HRANA reported. “Citizens are facing shortages of goods, long queues, rationing, and widespread anxiety.”
03:33 PM BST
China hopes ceasefire ‘can be realised as soon as possible’
China has reacted to Donald Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, saying it does not want to see “the spiral of escalations.”
During a foreign ministry briefing on Tuesday, it said it hopes that “a ceasefire can be realized as soon as possible.”
China is Iran’s largest trading partner and only remaining oil customer. It had condemned the weekend US strikes on Iran nuclear sites and called them a serious violation of international law that further inflamed tensions in the Middle East.
03:12 PM BST
Fragile ceasefire holds as Iran celebrates ‘victory’
Iran remains calm with no new explosions reported as state media celebrate what officials called a ceasefire “imposed” on Israel.
State television said the Islamic Republic’s “successful resistance had forced enemies to halt attacks.”
Iranian officials claimed Israel’s war failed and only created “unprecedented national unity” in Iran.
“The noble Iranian nation imposed a ceasefire on the enemy,” state TV said.
Iranian media portrayed the fighting’s end as a victory through military strikes and national unity, not a mutual agreement.
Officials said Iran “forced enemies to accept the halt in attacks”, while state media consistently suggested Tehran dictated terms to the US and Israel, despite providing no such details.
No new incidents have been reported as the fragile ceasefire appears to hold.
02:58 PM BST
Pictured: RAF flight transporting stranded Britons leaves Tel Aviv
RAF flight to transport vulnerable British nationals and their dependents out of Israel prepares to leave Tel Aviv – PA
02:54 PM BST
Trump is vague on Nato’s Article 5 commitment
Donald Trump recently spoke to reporters travelling with him to the Nato summit aboard Air Force One.
And his words on Article 5 – the pact in Nato that calls for countries to go to each other’s aid when attacked – will not give much comfort to the leaders waiting for him there.
Asked if was committed to it, he said: “Depends on your definition. There’s numerous definitions of Article 5.
“You know that, right? But I’m committed to being their friends. You know, I’ve become friends with many of those leaders, and I’m committed to helping them.”
The American president has frequently wavered in his relationship with Nato. At times he has threatened to pull the US out of the grouping or said he would not come to the defence of allies who have paid too little for their own defence.
02:51 PM BST
Nato chief praises ‘extraordinary’ Trump in fawning text message
The head of Nato congratulated Donald Trump for his “extraordinary” intervention in bombing Iran in a fawning private text message the US president.
Mark Rutte, known as the “Trump whisperer” for their close relationship, praised Mr Trump for his strikes on Iran and for pushing Nato allies to spend more on defence.
“Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action in Iran, that was truly extraordinary and something no one else dared to do. It makes us all safer,” he said.
Nato leaders have been careful to placate Mr Trump, showering him with praise and rearranging the summit around his preferences.
They have stripped down the meeting to one three-hour session and reduced a joint communique to one page in an effort to minimise the chances of an outburst from the US president.
Nato chief gushes over Donald Trump
02:36 PM BST
Trump held ‘exceptionally firm’ call with Netanyahu
Donald Trump spoke to Benjamin Netanyahu in “an exceptionally firm and direct way” as he urged Israel to stop bombing Iran, according to reports.
“The president told Netanyahu what needed to happen to sustain the ceasefire. The Prime Minister understood the severity of the situation and the concerns President Trump expressed,” a White House source told Axios.
It follows reports that Israeli jets struck Iran as Mr Trump demanded that the planes “turn around and head home”.
It was agreed in the call with Mr Netanyahu that the attacks would stop.
02:15 PM BST
Israeli strikes on Gilan residential areas kill 9, says Iran
Israeli strikes on residential areas in northern Gilan province killed nine people and wounded 33 others early on Tuesday, Iranian officials said.
“Following a terrorist attack this morning, four residential units were completely destroyed and many surrounding houses were also damaged by the explosion,” local governor said.
Of the 33 wounded, five people were hospitalised while 28 received outpatient treatment, the official said.
Women and children made up 16 of the casualties from the strikes, according to the provincial statement.
02:04 PM BST
Trump: Israel and Iran don’t know what the f— they’re doing
Credit: Reuters
Donald Trump said Israel and Iran “don’t know what the f— they’re doing” as he accused both sides of violating a ceasefire agreement.
The US president demanded Israel bring its pilots home “NOW” after the country vowed to launch strikes on the “heart of Tehran”.
“ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!” he wrote on Truth Social.
Mr Trump also said he was unhappy with Iran but suggested they may have fired a ballistic missile at Israel as a mistake.
“I’m not happy with Iran either. But I’m really unhappy if Israel is going out this morning because of one rocket that didn’t land, that was shot, perhaps by mistake, that didn’t land.
“I’m not happy about that. We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f— they’re doing.”
Israel earlier accused Iran of launching two ballistic missiles at the north of the country shortly after the ceasefire came into effect. Iran denied violating the ceasefire and in turn accused Israel of its own breach.
01:52 PM BST
Trump says he doesn’t want regime change in Iran
The US president is also asked to clarify his recent post about regime change in Iran. So does he want to see regime change?
“No, I don’t want to. I’d like to see everything calm down as quickly as possible,” he told reporters at the back of Air Force One.
“Regime Change takes chaos, and ideally we don’t want to see so much chaos. So we’ll see how it goes.
“You know, the Iranians are very good traders, very good business people, and they got a lot of oil. They should be fine. They should be able to rebuild and do a good job.”
01:27 PM BST
Israel strikes Iran despite Trump order
Israeli jets struck targets in Iran despite Donald Trump demanding Benjamin Netanyahu abide by the ceasefire that came into effect this morning.
The deputy head of Iran’s police intelligence was killed in a strike on Tehran, while a radar site was believed to be hit in the northern city of Babolsar.
Mr Trump had insisted that Israel bring its pilots home “NOW” after Israel vowed to launch strikes on the “heart of Tehran” following a shaky start to the ceasefire.
Reports suggested Israeli warplanes were already en route. However, in a last-ditch call between Mr Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, it was agreed the attacks would be scaled back.
As explosions rang out in Tehran, Mr Trump posted online: “All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly ‘Plane Wave’ to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect!”.
After the strikes, Iran said its armed forces have a “finger on the trigger”, and was ready to deliver a “decisive and regretful response”.
01:19 PM BST
Pictured: Large interceptor missile falls on northern Israel
Israeli firefighters try to remove an interceptor missile that lodged itself into the ground near the Lower Galilee region, northern Israel
01:08 PM BST
Iran says Israel violated ceasefire with strike on Babolsar
An explosion was heard in the northern Iranian city of Babolsar, and rescue vehicles and ambulances are rushing toward the blast site, Fars News Agency reported.
The state news agency said emergency responders were heading to the location of the explosion but provided no immediate details.
Babolsar is located in Mazandaran province along Iran’s Caspian sea coast, north of Tehran.
Iran accused Israel of violating the ceasefire after what Iranian media described as “a Zionist attack on an open area”.
01:01 PM BST
No wonder Trump is furious – he wanted to show Nato he’s a winner
Donald Trump hates the tedious business of international summitry, with its endless meetings about aspirations and targets that always seem to end in bland statements filled with platitudes.
He left the G7 early last week. The final straw, I’m told, was a session on wildfires when his mind was in the Middle East, plotting a raid on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Now he is on his way to his first Nato summit since flouncing out of the 2019 gathering outside Watford where other world leaders had ridiculed him.
This one was supposed to be different. His counterparts may have doubts about the legality of Saturday’s strikes on Iran, but Mr Trump would be arriving as a swashbuckling leader who had put American power to work.
And with a ceasefire between Israel and Iran declared overnight, it looked as if his B2 bombers had got in and out without sucking the US into a Middle East quagmire.
No wonder Mr Trump was in a furious mood as he left for the Nato summit. Suddenly he looked as if might not arrive as a winner.
Donald Trump speaks to reporters before departing the White House for the Nato summit – AP
12:44 PM BST
Reports of explosions in Tehran
Two explosions were heard in northern Tehran while Iranian media reported sounds of explosions and air defence engagement in northern Babol and Babolsar.
Local media reported the explosions in Tehran’s northern districts.
News sources in the northern cities of Babol and Babolsar also reported hearing explosions and air defence system activity.
12:38 PM BST
Trump says Israel won’t attack Iran
After launching a blistering verbal attack against Israel, Trump is now saying that the country’s pilots will “turn around and head home”, declaring that the ceasefire is again in effect.
“ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly “Plane Wave” to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect! Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,” he posted on Truth Social.
12:35 PM BST
Trump tells Israel to ‘calm down now’
Donald Trump may have said both sides violated the ceasefire, but he reserved the full force of his anger for one side only: Israel.
He suggested it had overreacted to an Iranian rocket fired after the ceasefire.
“We have to have Israel calm down,” he told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House. “Because they went on a mission this morning. I gotta get Israel to calm down now.”
12:25 PM BST
Starmer repeats call for de-escalation
Sir Keir Starmer has repeated his call for de-escalation between Israel and Iran as both sides continued trade blows despite a ceasefire coming into effect.
“Well, I want the ceasefire to continue, and therefore, obviously, the sooner we get back to that, the better. And that’s the message that I’m discussing with others leaders today,” the Prime Minister said as he arrived in the Netherlands ahead of the Nato summit.
“We need to get back to that ceasefire, which is consistent with what I’ve been saying about de-escalation for quite some time now.
“I should just say that I exchanged messages with the Emir of Qatar yesterday as well in relation to the attack yesterday.”
Keir Starmer arrives at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport ahead of the Nato summit – AP Pool
12:13 PM BST
Trump: Iran may have breached ceasefire by mistake
Trump was asked on the South Lawn whether he believed Iran still wanted peace. He said he did, but then said both sides had violated the ceasefire.
But he appeared to suggest that Iran may have fired a rocket by accident.
“Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’d never seen before, the biggest load that we’ve seen. I’m not happy with Israel,” he told reporters as he left for the Nato summit in the Hague.
“You know when I say, Okay, now you have 12 hours. You don’t go out in the first hour, just drop everything you have on them. So I’m not happy with them.
“I’m not happy with Iran either. But I’m really unhappy if Israel is going out this morning because of one rocket that didn’t land, that was shot, perhaps by mistake, that didn’t land. “I’m not happy about that. We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f— they’re doing.”
Donald Trump accused both sides of violating a ceasefire – AP
11:58 AM BST
Trump tells Israel: BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!
Donald Trump is venting his full fury in public after his ceasefire fell apart before he was even out of bed.
After talking the press gathered to watch his White House departure, he took to Truth Social to post an all caps message.
“ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES”
The president appears to be referring to the Israeli defence minister’s promise to launch “intense” strikes on the “heart of Tehran”.
11:49 AM BST
Trump: Iran’s nuclear capabilities are gone
Donald Trump has said that Iran’s nuclear capacities are “gone” after US strikes against the country’s key facilities.
“Iran will never rebuild its nuclear programme,” the US president told reporters this morning.
11:45 AM BST
Trump accuses Israel of ‘unloading’ after ceasefire
Donald Trump has said he did not like how Israel “unloaded” on Iran shortly after agreeing to a ceasefire.
Speaking as he departed the White house for the Nato summit, the US president accused both sides of violating the truce that he announced late last night.
11:25 AM BST
Listen: How Iran can still build a nuclear bomb
The United States has just pulled off one of the most audacious bombing campaigns of the 21st century — attacking Iran’s nuclear sites in a stunning show of military might.
But to what extent will it actually set back Tehran’s ability to build a nuclear bomb? Not much, according to nuclear expert from RUSI Darya Dolzikova.
Listen to the latest episode of Battle Lines below.
11:17 AM BST
Analysis: Can Trump stick the landing?
Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran were opposed by a key part of his Maga base. Populists such as Tucker Carlson warned that the US was about to be dragged into the sort of foreign entanglement that the president had campaigned against.
So the announcement of a ceasefire on Monday night was greeted warmly by Mr Carlson.
“I’m so grateful he brought it in for a landing. I think we should be grateful to him,” he told podcast host Emily Jashinsky last night. “I think we should be grateful to God. I think we should understand how close we came.”
This isn’t over yet. The ceasefire may have fallen apart as quickly as it was announced.
But it shows that if Mr Trump’s Middle East adventure amounts to one night of strikes then he has a path to holding his coalition together.
Donald Trump in the Situation Room as the US attacked Iran on Saturday night – Getty Images North America
11:06 AM BST
Iran vows to continue nuclear programme
Iran’s government said it had “taken the necessary measures” to ensure the continuation of its nuclear programme despite stirkes by the US and Israeli against key facilities.
“We have taken the necessary measures and are taking stock of the damage,” said the head of Iran’s atomic energy organisation, Mohammad Eslami, in a statement aired on state TV.
“Plans for restarting (the facilities) have been prepared in advance, and our strategy is to ensure that production and services are not disrupted,” he added.
11:00 AM BST
Israel locates Iranian rocket fired during ceasefire
Israeli authorities have located an Iranian missile which was launched this morning despite today’s ceasefire.
“Iran continues to show its true nature as a terror state and a regional threat,” a statement read.
10:37 AM BST
Iran: Attack on US base nothing to do with Qatar
Iran has claimed that Monday’s attack against the US Al Udeid military base had “nothing to do” with Qatar.
The military base, which has also been used by British personnel, is located just outside of the Qatari capital of Doha but Iran said the attack was an “act of self-defence”.
“Iran remains fully committed to its good-neighbourliness policy with respect to the State of Qatar and other neighbouring countries,” a foreign ministry spokesman said.
“We resolve not to let US/Israeli criminal aggressions and malign policies against Iran create division between us and the brotherly countries of the region.”
10:18 AM BST
Russia welcomes ceasefire
Russia said it would welcome a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, after both sides said they had agreed to stop the fighting.
“If a ceasefire has indeed been achieved, this can only be welcomed,”a Kremlin spokesman told reporters, adding that Moscow hoped “that this will be a sustainable ceasefire”.
His comments came as Israel accused Iran of violating the truce with the launch of two ballistic missiles.
10:00 AM BST
Get in touch
09:56 AM BST
Iran’s military denies launching missiles after ceasefire
Iran’s general staff of the armed forces has denied that the country launched any missiles toward Israeli territory after a ceasefire came into effect.
“The general staff of the armed forces denied the launch of any missiles in recent hours from Iran toward the occupied territories,” the military said in a statement.
09:33 AM BST
IDF chief: We will strike with force
Israel will strike Iran “with force” after a “grave violation” of the ceasefire by Tehran, the IDF’s chief of staff has said.
An Israeli official also said that the IDF would make Iran “pay”.
09:27 AM BST
Iran denies launching missile
Iran has denied reports that it fired missiles toward Israeli territory after a ceasefire took effect, calling such claims false and rejecting Israeli accusations of violating the US-brokered truce.
“Reports published about missile launches from Iran toward the occupied territories after imposing a ceasefire on the Zionist regime are denied,” state media said.
09:25 AM BST
Stocks rise as traders unmoved by Iran missile claims
A global rally in stock markets continued in early trading despite Israel’s claims of Iran violating the ceasefire.
The FTSE 100 climbed 0.3pc to 8,786.88 as investors were reassured by Donald Trump’s declaration that the war had come to an end.
European markets were sharply higher, with the Cac 40 in Paris up as much as 1.7pc to 7,667.44 and the Dax in Frankfurt up 2pc to 23,738.94.
Oil prices pulled back some of their overnight losses, with Brent crude last down 2.5pc below $70 a barrel.
In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 closed up 1.8pc 38,790.56 and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong rose 2.1pc to 24,178.31.
09:24 AM BST
If you’re just joining us…
If you’re just catching up on this morning’s events, here’s a summary of what’s happened so far:
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Donald Trump said earlier this morning that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran had come into effect
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Both sides said they had agreed to stop the fighting after another night of intense fighting
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Despite this, the IDF said it had intercepted missiles fired by Iran in the last hour
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The IDF has been ordered to “respond forcefully” to the ceasefire violation
A missile fired by Iran at Israel earlier this morning just minutes before a ceasefire was due to come into effect – REUTERS
09:00 AM BST
IDF ordered to ‘respond forcefully’ to ceasefire violation
Israel has vowed to strike targets in the “heart of Tehran” after Iran violated a ceasefire hours after it went into effect.
The Israeli military said missiles were launched from Iran this morning, forcing civilians into bomb shelters once again as sirens rang out in northern Israel.
Israel Katz, the defence minister, said: “I instructed the Israeli army to respond forcefully to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire by launching powerful strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran.”
08:54 AM BST
IDF says civilians can exit bomb shelters
The IDF has said civilians in northern Israel can now leave bomb shelters after the latest missile attack by Iran.
At least one ballistic missile was fired at Israel, which was likely intercepted, according to local media.
There were no reports of impacts and injuries.
08:36 AM BST
Missiles launched from Iran, says Israel
The Israeli military claims missiles have been launched from Iran.
It said air defence systems were “operating to intercept the threat” and has ordered citizens into shelters.
It comes after both sides confirmed they had agreed to a ceasefire.
Credit: Reuters
08:34 AM BST
Tehran suffers worst night of strikes before ceasefire
Tehran suffered its worst night of strikes before a ceasefire with Israel came into effect, writes Afshin Madadi. Residents say the city was “shaking” all night – then it suddenly went quiet.
Iranians could see Israeli jets in the sky and air defence systems working to intercept missiles launched in “unprecedented” attacks, which killed nine in northern Gilan.
The mood in Tehran and being shared on state media is that Iran “forced” Israel and the US into a ceasefire following a strike on an American military base in Qatar.
But with a ceasefire now in effect, those who left Tehran are slowly coming back.
08:24 AM BST
Analysis: Ceasefire suggests regime change was never the goal
So here is the fabled “off-ramp”, paved and prepared by Donald Trump.
If Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wants a face-saving way of ending his disastrous conflict with Israel and the United States, which has cost him Iran’s entire high command and its vital nuclear plants, then the script will write itself.
On Monday Iran struck back, not merely against the old Israeli enemy but America itself by targeting the biggest US air base in the Middle East – Al-Udeid in Qatar.
Now the Ayatollah can claim that America came asking for a ceasefire to avoid any further devastating strikes from Iran. In truth the missiles fired at Qatar inflicted zero casualties and zero damage, but Khamenei has never been unduly constrained by fact or reality.
The point is that he did not ask for a ceasefire – Trump did. Better still, Israel immediately did the same, which would allow Khamenei to claim (mendaciously) that Benjamin Netanyahu was seeking mercy from the destructive power of Iran’s missiles.
The readiness of both Trump and Netanyahu to agree a truce, incidentally, suggests that regime change in Iran was never the goal of either leader, regardless of what they might have said.
So now everything is prepared: Khamenei has a way of climbing down and licking his wounds and perhaps even of staying in power. All that remains in doubt is whether he will take it.
The remnants of an Iranian missile intercepted over Qatar – AFP
08:14 AM BST
Israel kills nuclear scientist in overnight strike
Israel killed an Iranian nuclear scientist in one of its last strikes before a ceasefire with Iran came into effect, state media in Tehran claimed.
Citing sources, state TV reported the killing of Mohammad Reza Seddighi at his parents’ home in Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh in northern Iran.
Mohammad Reza Seddighi Saber was under US sanctions. Several days ago, his 17-year-old son was reported killed in a strike on their home in Tehran, the broadcaster said.
08:03 AM BST
Trump ‘begged’ for ceasefire, Iranian state TV claims
Donald Trump “begged” for a ceasefire which he then “imposed” on Israel after Tehran’s “successful” military response to “US aggression”, Iranian state TV has claimed.
It gives us some insight into how the Iranian regime is selling the ceasefire to its citizens in the wake of its attack against a US military base in Qatar.
Despite state TV claims, it has been widely reported that Iran gave Qatar and the US “good advance notice” of the attack, meaning there were no casualties and very little – if any – damage.
Mr Trump, for his part, said Iran had approached him “almost simultaneously, and said, peace”.
07:38 AM BST
Analysis: Ruthless Israel has de-fanged, but not destroyed, Iran
Trump vindicated. Netanyahu rehabilitated. Iran humbled. The Middle East becalmed.
That, at least, is one way of interpreting the past 12 days of war and the ceasefire that could possibly end it.
Arab leaders may not have liked how Israel did it – and had to express outrage to pacify their domestic populations – but they will nonetheless feel immense relief.
Iran, the great menace to much of the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant, has been defanged – if not defeated – in a ruthlessly executed campaign that began with the decapitation of Hezbollah.
The Israelis demonstrated how to fight an asymmetric war – a campaign that will be studied for generations, and one that, on the surface, appears to stand in contrast to the struggles faced by the British in Kenya, Malaya and Aden, or the Americans in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
There may even be, as some US former government officials are already suggesting, broader implications: China might think twice about invading Taiwan, having seen how decisively Trump can act.
It’s a compelling argument. But there are caveats.
A formal battlefield damage assessment is still pending. If Iran has salvaged enough of its nuclear programme to sprint for a bomb, Netanyahu and Trump risk turning a tactical victory into a strategic defeat. Iran may yet rise from the ashes. The Islamic regime has retreated to lick its wounds – but it has not been destroyed.
And as for China – it is not clear that Beijing will draw the conclusions some of Mr Trump’s supporters hope. By striking Iran while appeasing Russia, Trump may have sent a different signal: that he is willing to confront lesser powers in a limited fashion, but content to let larger ones do as they please.
07:18 AM BST
Netanyahu confirms ceasefire
Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
The Israeli prime minister said Israel had achieved its goal of removing Iran’s “dual immediate existential threat” from nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
Mr Netanyahu said Israel had “inflicted severe damage on the military leadership, and destroyed dozens of central Iranian government targets”.
He thanked Donald Trump for America’s help in striking Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defence and their participation in eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat,” Mr Netanyahu added.
The US president said earlier that the truce had “come into effect” and urged both countries not to violate it.
Benjamin Netanyahu on a visit to a missile impact site on Friday – Shutterstock Editorial
07:01 AM BST
Oil prices plunge as Trump declares ceasefire
The price of oil plunged to levels last seen before Israel began its attacks against Iran as Donald Trump declared a ceasefire between the two countries.
Brent crude tumbled almost 5pc toward $68 a barrel after the US president said on social media that Israel and Iran agreed to a “total ceasefire”.
Gold dropped around 1pc and the value of the dollar slipped as investors shifted away from safe haven assets sought out during the conflict, which Mr Trump said should become known as The 12-Day War.
Oil prices had surged to five-month highs on Monday over concerns that Iran could retaliate to US and Israeli strikes by closing the vital Strait of Hormuz, where about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes through.
Brent was last down 3.3pc near $69 after Mr Trump said the ceasefire had fully come into effect.
Chris Weston, an analyst at Pepperstone, said: “Traders are now firmly of the belief that the risk of a supply shock is now firmly in the rear-view mirror.”
06:42 AM BST
Concern in Israel ceasefire is premature
The ceasefire in the Middle East looked fragile this morning as at least four people were killed by an Iranian missile in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba.
The strike came just half an hour before the 7am ceasefire came into force and was followed by six more waves of missiles, most of which appear to have been intercepted.
There is a heavy Israeli military presence living in the area.
The deaths will test Benjamin Netanyahu to the max – not just politically but from a military perspective.
He may have bumped president Trump unwillingly into the war in the first place, but Trump appears to have forced a ceasefire on Netanyahu.
The Israeli air force had expected several more days flying to complete their target list in Iran and there remain real concern among analysts that the regime’s nuclear program has not been finished off.
If Iran is able to race now to produce a nuclear weapon, Israel’s assault on the theocratic regime will have been in vain.
People evacuating a building next to a site stuck by Iranian missiles – AP
06:38 AM BST
Confusing ceasefire: ‘Who the hell knows?’
Uncertainty continues to mount over the ceasefire agreement which has been labelled “confusing”.
Even former US officials are unsure as to what is going on, with former US ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, writing:
He later posted: “Who the hell knows?”
06:18 AM BST
Trump: Ceasefire has begun
Donald Trump has declared the “ceasefire is now in effect” in a post on Truth Social.
Meanwhile, Iranian state TV also said the ceasefire with Israel had begun.
06:00 AM BST
Death toll in Beersheba strike rises to four
The death toll in the Iranian missile strike in Beersheba has risen to four, according to local media.
Rescue services are continuing to search the damaged buildings for casualties.
The blast has caused extensive damage and it will take hours before the final toll can be established.
Several of the dead are reported to have been in a shelter that suffered a direct hit.
The blast wave has ripped through dozens of surrounding apartments and rescue services are combing through them one by one.
At least three large apartment blocks, each five to seven stories high, have been severely damaged.
Destruction in Beersheba – AFP
05:52 AM BST
Where everyone stands on the ceasefire
United States
Donald Trump believes the ceasefire and an ‘end to the war’ 24 hours later, will take place.
Mr Trump announced the truce on Monday night, writing on Truth Social:
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! Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.
Israel
Israel so far has not acknowledged Mr Trump’s ceasefire announcement. However, a senior White House official said the US president brokered the deal in a call with Benjamin Netanyahu, who agreed to the truce so long as Iran did not launch further attacks.
Iran
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani secured Iran’s ceasefire agreement to Mr Trump’s proposal.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi essentially agreed to the truce by saying Tehran would stop fighting if Israel ceased its “illegal aggression” by 4am local time (1.30am BST).
He wrote on X this morning:
As of now, there is NO “agreement” on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards. The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.
05:30 AM BST
Pictured: Missile strikes hit Beersheba
Smoke rises in the sky as Iran bombards the city with missiles
Smoke rises in the sky as Iran bombards the city with missiles
05:29 AM BST
Missiles headed towards Israel around time of ceasefire
Iran’s state media said that a fifth wave of missiles headed towards Israel around the time the ceasefire was set to begin.
“The fifth wave of this morning’s missile attack from Iran is on its way to the occupied territories,” Irib posted on Telegram just before 5am BST.
05:08 AM BST
Three dead in Iranian strike on Beersheba
At least three people were killed in an Iranian missile strike on Beersheba in the south of Israel this morning, as Iran and Israel continued to trade fire ahead of the ceasefire deadline.
The Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service confirmed three dead at the scene at 6.30am local time (4.30am BST) just half an hour before the ceasefire deadline. Further casualties from the scene are expected.
The Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, which was hit in a missile strike last Thursday, was preparing to receive patients from the latest attack.
Combatants in the Middle East have a long history of taking hostilities to the deadline and Israel was reported to have launched one of its largest raids on Iran overnight.
Pictures and video from the scene suggest a direct hit on the housing estate in Beersheba by a ballistic missile.
Credit: sentdefender/X
The hit came in the first of a wave of air raid warnings across Israel that started at 5.11am local time on Tuesday.
People across the country yo-yoed from bed to shelter and back again as the warnings came in.
The tactic may increase the chance of people being caught outside a shelter.
05:01 AM BST
Ceasefire ‘comes into effect’
The ceasefire between Iran and Israel is supposed to have come into force now at 7am local time (5am BST).
Whether the fighting will continue is yet to be seen.
04:58 AM BST
Iran-Israel ceasefire explained
If you’re waking up to the news of the ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel, here is how it transpired:
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A triumphant Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform on Monday night that the two countries had agreed to a “complete and total” ceasefire, beginning at 7am local time (5am BST) today.
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24 hours after the ceasefire, the war is set to officially “end”, Mr Trump said.
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Israel did not acknowledge the ceasefire deal announcement.
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Iran said it would stop attacking if Israel ceased its “illegal aggression” by 4am local time (1.30am BST).
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Strikes have continued to occur throughout the night from both sides ahead of the ceasefire.
04:53 AM BST
Good morning
A ceasefire between Israel and Iran is set to come into effect at 7am local time (5am BST) today.
The two countries have still been exchanging strikes in the lead-up to the truce.
Follow our live blog for the latest today.
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