If Iran retaliation ends here, Trump's high-risk strikes may pay off
Iran had promised to retaliate for Saturday's US strike on its nuclear facilities - and now it has. According to early reports, all the Iranian missiles directed at the massive US base in Qatar were intercepted and there were no American casualties or damage.US media reports, however, that Iranian officials have said that this salvo was not the end of their nation's response.During his address to the nation on Saturday night, President Donald Trump warned that there would be an overwhelming answer to any Iranian attacks on US interests. He promised that there were more targets that could be struck by American forces.Follow live updates on Iran-Israel conflictWhat we know about Iran's attack on US baseFor more than 24 hours, the world waited to see what Iran would do. Once Iran had acted, attention swung back to the US president and, after a few hours, he had his say."Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered," Trump posted on his social media site.
He said that Iran had gotten it out of their "system" and added that "perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region".If the damage is indeed limited, and no additional Iranian attacks are forthcoming, Trump seems inclined to hold his fire in the hopes that the Iranians will be willing to negotiate in earnest.Trump's weekend attack on Iran was a high-risk manoeuvre, but a scenario in which it pays off is coming into view.A similar dynamic played itself out in January 2020, when Trump ordered the targeted killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard leader Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. Iran launched missiles at military bases in Iraq, injuring more than 100 American soldiers, but the US chose not to escalate. Cooler heads ultimately prevailed.
According to US media, in their latest attack on Monday Iran fired a number of missiles at American bases equal to the total number of bombs US warplanes dropped during its weekend attack. That, along with the advance notice Iran provided to the Qatari government prior to the launch, for which Trump said he was grateful, suggests the Iranians are seeking proportionality, not escalation.For most of the day, Trump was more focused on the price of oil, American media coverage and a suggestion by former Russian President Dimitry Medvedev that an outside nation provide Iran with nuclear weapons.Talk of regime change resonates with fleeing IraniansWhat happens if Iran shuts the Strait of Hormuz?On his flight back from the G7 meetings in Canada Monday night, Trump had told journalists aboard that the US military was prepared for an Iranian threat."We have great people that know how to protect themselves," he said. "Our troops are ready."If Iran has another round of attacks, however - and there are American deaths or significant damage - pressure will mount for Trump to respond. On Sunday, US officials had stated, in no uncertain terms, that - unlike past US leaders - this president follows through on his threats.To do so, however, would risk exactly the kind of protracted warfare that even some of Trump's own supporters feared would result if the US joined this fight.For the moment, however, Iran is offering an off-ramp from this conflict, and Trump appears more than eager to take it.
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Times
18 minutes ago
- Times
Iran-Israel ceasefire: IDF claims truce breached as missiles launched
Following the apparent breach of the ceasefire, sirens are expected to sound in northern Israel in the coming minutes, the Times of Israel reports, with ballistic missiles said to have been fired from Iran Missiles have been launched from Iran after a US-brokered ceasefire with Israel began, according to Israel's military 'A short while ago, the IDF [Israel Defence Forces] identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel,' a statement from the IDF read. 'Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat.' 'Upon receiving an alert, the public is instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice.' 'Leaving the protected space is only permitted following an explicit directive. Continue to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command.' Families of hostages held in Gaza called for an end to the war there and bring back those in Hamas captivity following the ceasefire with Iran. 'The ceasefire agreement must expand to include Gaza; we call on the government to engage in urgent negotiations that will bring home all the hostages and end the war. Those who can achieve a ceasefire with Iran can also end the war in Gaza,' a statement from the hostage family forum, an umbrella group of those seeking a ceasefire, read on Monday morning. 'After 12 days and nights during which the people of Israel couldn't sleep because of Iran, we can finally go back to not sleeping because of the hostages,' they added. The 56 Israeli and foreign nationals hostages, 20 of whom are believed to still be alive, have been held in captivity by Hamas and other Gazan militants since October 7, 2023,. The death toll from a missile strike that hit residential buildings in southern Israel early this morning has risen to five. Another 20 people were injured in the strike, according to Israeli authorities. The attack on the city of Beersheba took place before a ceasefire took hold. It marks the highest death toll from one Iranian missile in the course of the war. A video posted on social media has shown a group of evacuees appearing to land in the UK on an RAF evacuation flight from Israel while singing Israel's national anthem, followed by a rendition of God Save the King. The video was posted by Max Radford, a British delegate of the World Zionist Congress and co-founder of Ballistra group, a technology business with ties in Israel. In the Instagram post, Radford thanked the RAF for its 'amazing' support. Oil has fallen sharply after President Trump announced a 'complete and total ceasefire' between Israel and Iran. Brent crude has fallen to $68.76 a barrel, having topped $79 a barrel in recent days on fears that the Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz, through which around a fifth of total global oil supplies and fifth of global exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) pass. • Business live: Oil price drops after Trump announces ceasefire Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main international hub, will reportedly resume full operations later this morning. The number of rescue flights departing from the airport is also expected to increase dramatically in the coming hours, according to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12. Earlier this morning, it was announced Ben Gurion would allow the first outgoing flights to depart since Israel's conflict with Iran began on June 13. Iranian nuclear scientist Mohammad Reza Seddiqi Sabir was killed by an Israeli attack early this morning, Iranian media has reported. The attack took place before a US-brokered truce began, according to Nornews. The Israeli strike was said to have targeted Sabir's apartment, with his 17-year-old son also being killed. The US imposed sanctions on the scientist in May, alleging he was involved in the development of nuclear weapons. Israel has claimed to have 'removed a dual immediate existential threat' posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, the prime minister's office said in a series of statements posted on social media. Writing on X, it said Israel had achieved a 'tremendous success', with Binyamin Netanyahu's office adding: 'The IDF [Israel Defence Forces] has achieved complete air control over Tehran's skies, inflicted severe damage on the military leadership, and destroyed dozens of central Iranian government targets. 'In the past 24 hours, the IDF has also severely struck government targets in the heart of Tehran, eliminating hundreds of Basij operatives — the terrorist regime's suppression mechanism — and eliminating another senior nuclear scientist. Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defence and their participation in eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat.' Israel has agreed to Trump's ceasefire proposal with Iran, the Israeli prime minister's office has confirmed. Binyamin Netanyahu's office said it would respond 'forcefully' to any violations, adding that he would deliver a statement later today. 'In light of the achievement of the objectives of the operation, and in full co-ordination with President Trump, Israel has agreed to the president's proposal for a bilateral ceasefire,' a statement read. • Trump announces Israel-Iran ceasefire after attacks on US bases President Trump is expected to fly to the Hague later today for a planned Nato summit. While the conference had been expected to focus on how alliance members are heeding Trump's calls to increase defence spending to five per cent of GDP, the conflict in the Middle East will almost certainly loom large. If a ceasefire appears to hold throughout the day, Trump is likely to take credit for mediating peace between Iran and Israel, arguably his biggest foreign policy achievement yet. However, with Israel yet to confirm the truce, the US leader may be unable to perform his victory lap. Concerns that Trump would talk down Nato during the summit — and discuss withdrawing US troops from Europe while abandoning support to Ukraine — have eased somewhat. President Zelensky has now been invited to a dinner with Nato leaders after fears Ukraine would be blocked from participating in the conference altogether. In the past few hours, Israeli warplanes struck and destroyed missile launchers in western Iran 'ready to be fired at Israeli territory', the military said in a statement. It appeared to refer to a strike before the ceasefire — which has now officially come into effect, according to the US president. Israel has not confirmed the ceasefire. The missile strike that hit residential buildings in Beersheba before the ceasefire took hold has killed four people. It is the highest death toll from one Iranian missile in the course of the war. Paramedics said that three people— a woman aged about 40, a man about 40 and a man about 20 were pronounced dead at the scene — with another body recovered later. Dvir Ben Ze'ev, an MDA paramedic at the site in southern Israel, said: 'We saw significant destruction to several buildings on the street where the rocket fell. At the entrance to one of the buildings, an unconscious man was lying down, and after further searches, two more casualties — a man and a woman — were found unconscious.' President Trump has said that his promised ceasefire is now in effect after waves of strikes overnight, which have killed at least four. 'THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!', Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. Israeli emergency services said three people were killed and two left wounded in an overnight Iranian missile strike in southern Israel. Magen David Adom said in a statement on X on Tuesday morning: 'Following the missile impact site in southern Israel: So far, MDA teams have pronounced the deaths of three people, two people with moderate injuries have been evacuated to hospital and approximately six people with mild injuries are being treated at the scene.' Iran's state media said a fifth wave of missiles was headed towards Israel around the time a ceasefire announced by the United States was due 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 4am BST. Israel's military has said waves of missiles were launched by Iran. Israel's national ambulance service said three people were killed in Beersheba — the first reported deaths in Israel since Trump announced the ceasefire. Unidentified drones struck radar systems at two military bases in Iraq early on Tuesday. No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks. The first attack hit a radar system at the Taji base, north of Baghdad — where US troops were hosted until 2020 — a security source told AFP. A drone also targeted the radar system at the Imam Ali airbase in Dhi Qar province in southern Iraq, the source said Another drone fell in the Radwaniya district, ten kilometres west of Baghdad international airport, the source added, where US troops are deployed as part of an anti-jihadist coalition. The attacks caused material damage but no casualties were reported, Lieutenant General Walid al-Tamimi told the official Iraqi News Agency. As the minutes ticked down to 7am Israel time and a possible ceasefire, Israelis in bomb shelters were unsure on the exact timings of the deal announced by President Trump — or whether it would actually happen. After four consecutive missile barrages that sent residents of Tel Aviv rushing to and from shelters, it was unclear if the salvos were a final blast from Tehran or the start of a new round of escalation. Reports that three people had been killed by an Iranian missile in Beersheba, a city in southern Israel, raised fears that an Israeli response would trigger more Iranian attacks. 'I'm tired and slightly disillusioned now because I don't know if this is really the end or not,' said one woman, moments before another all-clear. President Trump announced a 'complete and total ceasefire' between Israel and Iran after 12 days of hostilities, including a symbolic Iranian reprisal strike on a US base in Qatar on Monday. He posted a message on his Truth Social site hailing an end to the war, as Israel continued its attacks on Iran. 'Congratulations to everyone!' he wrote, 'in approximately six hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!' Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister, signalled early on Tuesday morning that Tehran was prepared to halt its missile attacks at 4am local time (1.30am UK). However, three consecutive air raid warnings sounded in Tel Aviv a few hours later. 'The military operations of our powerful armed forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am,' Araghchi wrote on social media. 'As of now, there is NO 'agreement' on 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,' he added. In a hotel bomb shelter in Tel Aviv, Australian holidaymakers caught up in Israel's war with Iran were doubtful that a ceasefire would hold. After taking a group photo, one of the them said that she suspected Iran had no intention of sticking to any deal. 'I thought the Iranians might give us the night off after hitting Qatar,' said another as booms were was heard in the city. A missile fired from Iran hit a building in Beersheba, a southern desert city in Israel, destroying a building and killing three people. Initial reports said that people may be buried under the rubble, with others critically injured in the strike at 5.40am local time. Paramedics at the scene were treating three people in critical condition and those who were wounded. Beersheba has been badly hit in the war, with a missile striking the largest hospital in the area last week. Another alarm was sounded after dawn as more missiles were fired. Israelis made their way down to shelters at 5am local time on Tuesday morning, with two consecutive warnings to hunker down. The Israeli military said they identified a launch from Iran towards Israel and sirens blared in central Israel. Booms were heard overhead in the central city of Tel Aviv. As news of a potential ceasefire spread, many people spent the minutes underground checking the news and discussing what the day might hold. When asked if there was going to be a ceasefire, some said that it would only happen if Israel had achieved what they set out to do. A hotel worker said he wasn't sure what would happen next and whether or not there was a ceasefire. 'Uncle Donald doesn't know what to think about it,' said Tom Rogers, 65. [Trump] may think he's qualified to run a war, but he's got General Korilla who knows what he's doing. It will be OK.'
Rhyl Journal
24 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
UK welcomes news of ceasefire in Israel and Iran's 12-day conflict
Israel's government confirmed on Tuesday morning it had agreed to the ceasefire plan, proposed by US President Donald Trump. Mr Trump first claimed an agreement had been reached overnight, but both Israel and Iran were initially silent. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his nation had agreed to the bilateral ceasefire in co-ordination with Tehran. It followed a final onslaught of missiles targeting Israel early on Tuesday, which killed at least four people. Israel in turn launched a blitz of airstrikes targeting sites across Iran before dawn. Mr Netanyahu reasoned to his security cabinet that Israel had achieved all its goals in its 12-day war against Iran, including removing the threat of its nuclear programme. 'Israel will respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire,' the Israeli prime minister warned. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi had earlier posted on social media site X there was 'NO 'agreement' on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations'. But he said Iran had 'no intention' of continuing attacks if Israel stopped its 'illegal aggression against the Iranian people' by 4am Tehran time (2am BST), around a quarter of an hour before his post. As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around. 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… — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 24, 2025 Speaking on BBC Breakfast after news of Israel's agreement to the deal broke, Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said it was 'good news, if the ceasefire holds'. He also told the BBC: 'I welcome the Israeli statement. It's obviously a fragile situation in the Middle East. 'A number of people have been killed overnight in missile strikes, but I think the whole world will hope that the ceasefire will hold and that Iran will come forward with a credible plan that shows that it will not pursue the development of a nuclear weapon.' Sir Keir Starmer will arrive at the Nato summit in the Netherlands on Tuesday amid news of the ceasefire. Despite news of the end to hostilities, the summit is likely to be dominated by the situation in the Middle East, as leaders deal with the aftermath of the conflict. The UK started evacuating Britons from Israel on Monday, with the first group of 63 flown back via Cyprus. Downing Street said 'around 1,000' people had requested a seat on an evacuation flight – a quarter of the 4,000 who had registered their presence in Israel or Palestine with the Foreign Office. Writing on his social media site Truth Social, Mr Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed a 'complete and total ceasefire' to be brought in over 24 hours, saying the two countries had approached him 'almost simultaneously'. He said the ceasefire would be phased in, giving the two countries six hours to have 'wound down and completed their in progress, final missions'. 'The World, and the Middle East, are the real WINNERS!' he posted later. 'They have so much to gain, and yet, so much to lose if they stray from the road of RIGHTEOUSNESS & TRUTH.'
South Wales Argus
24 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
UK welcomes news of ceasefire in Israel and Iran's 12-day conflict
Israel's government confirmed on Tuesday morning it had agreed to the ceasefire plan, proposed by US President Donald Trump. Mr Trump first claimed an agreement had been reached overnight, but both Israel and Iran were initially silent. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his nation had agreed to the bilateral ceasefire in co-ordination with Tehran. It followed a final onslaught of missiles targeting Israel early on Tuesday, which killed at least four people. Israel in turn launched a blitz of airstrikes targeting sites across Iran before dawn. Mr Netanyahu reasoned to his security cabinet that Israel had achieved all its goals in its 12-day war against Iran, including removing the threat of its nuclear programme. 'Israel will respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire,' the Israeli prime minister warned. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi had earlier posted on social media site X there was 'NO 'agreement' on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations'. But he said Iran had 'no intention' of continuing attacks if Israel stopped its 'illegal aggression against the Iranian people' by 4am Tehran time (2am BST), around a quarter of an hour before his post. As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around. 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… — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 24, 2025 Speaking on BBC Breakfast after news of Israel's agreement to the deal broke, Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said it was 'good news, if the ceasefire holds'. He also told the BBC: 'I welcome the Israeli statement. It's obviously a fragile situation in the Middle East. 'A number of people have been killed overnight in missile strikes, but I think the whole world will hope that the ceasefire will hold and that Iran will come forward with a credible plan that shows that it will not pursue the development of a nuclear weapon.' Sir Keir Starmer will arrive at the Nato summit in the Netherlands on Tuesday amid news of the ceasefire. Despite news of the end to hostilities, the summit is likely to be dominated by the situation in the Middle East, as leaders deal with the aftermath of the conflict. The UK started evacuating Britons from Israel on Monday, with the first group of 63 flown back via Cyprus. Downing Street said 'around 1,000' people had requested a seat on an evacuation flight – a quarter of the 4,000 who had registered their presence in Israel or Palestine with the Foreign Office. US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire on his Truth Social platform (Carlos Barria/Pool via AP) Writing on his social media site Truth Social, Mr Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed a 'complete and total ceasefire' to be brought in over 24 hours, saying the two countries had approached him 'almost simultaneously'. He said the ceasefire would be phased in, giving the two countries six hours to have 'wound down and completed their in progress, final missions'. 'The World, and the Middle East, are the real WINNERS!' he posted later. 'They have so much to gain, and yet, so much to lose if they stray from the road of RIGHTEOUSNESS & TRUTH.'
