Israel Confirms Ceasefire With Iran, Says ‘Dual Existential Threat’ Has Been Eliminated
Iranian state television, according to The Times of Israel, announced the start of the ceasefire. Israeli media, citing unnamed officials, reported that the ceasefire is likely to hold only if all sides respect the agreement.
Despite Trump’s announcement, violence continued overnight. Israeli emergency services said four people were killed in an Iranian missile attack shortly before the ceasefire was due to begin. Iran’s state media also reported waves of missiles heading toward Israel.
The Magen David Adom rescue service said three people died in a strike on the southern city of Beersheba, with a fourth person later added to the death toll.
Meanwhile, explosions rocked Tehran overnight, with AFP reporters describing some of the strongest blasts since the conflict began.
The war between the two countries began on June 13, when Israel carried out surprise airstrikes on Iran, targeting nuclear and military sites. Trump later warned that the situation could spiral into a “massive” regional conflict.
Strikes on US Base in Qatar
On Monday evening, June 23, Iran launched missiles at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military installation in the Middle East. Iran’s National Security Council confirmed the strike, saying it was retaliation for US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.
The Council said Iran’s response was “proportional,” with the same number of missiles fired as bombs used by the US.
The US military had earlier struck Iran’s underground uranium enrichment facility with bunker-busting bombs and targeted two other nuclear sites over the weekend. The strikes followed Washington’s decision to support Israel in its military campaign.
Though Iran said its missiles targeted the US base, officials in Qatar accused Tehran of “blatant aggression” and threatened a proportional response.
Blasts were heard across Doha and Lusail, with projectiles seen crossing the night sky. Qatar temporarily closed its airspace, and the US Embassy, along with other foreign missions, urged people to shelter in place.
Source: Alisa Orlova