Israeli emergency responders confirmed on Tuesday that three individuals lost their lives following an Iranian missile strike in southern Israel, even as Tehran’s state media reported additional missile launches targeting Israel. This development came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire agreement between the two adversaries, a claim neither Iran nor Israel has officially confirmed.
According to Trump’s statement on his Truth Social platform, “It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE.” He added, “Upon the 24th hour, an official end to the 12-day war will be saluted by the world,” emphasizing that both sides had committed to remain “peaceful and respectful” throughout the phased cessation process.
However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi contradicted this announcement, stating on social media, “As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on ceasefire or cessation of military operations.” He further clarified, “However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards.”
Despite the purported ceasefire, Israel’s military reported missile sirens in the northern region, coinciding with Iranian state media’s reports of missile waves directed at Israeli territory. The Israeli emergency medical service, Magen David Adom, confirmed three fatalities and multiple injuries from the missile impact in the southern city of Beersheba.
Explosions were also reported overnight in Tehran, marking some of the most intense blasts since the conflict began. The ongoing hostilities follow a series of Israeli preemptive strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites starting June 13, which prompted retaliatory missile attacks from Iran.
The conflict has resulted in hundreds of deaths in Iran and at least two dozen in Israel. The announcement of a ceasefire, if upheld, would provide significant relief to international leaders concerned about the risk of a broader regional war.
Okay.ng reports that the U.S. had recently joined Israel’s military campaign with airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, escalating tensions further. Iran’s missile attack on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar was described by Trump as “very weak,” and Tehran claimed the strike was a calibrated response proportional to U.S. bombings.
As of now, the situation remains volatile, with conflicting statements from involved parties and ongoing missile exchanges, leaving the future of peace uncertain.
