Just hours after announcing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump accused both parties of violating the agreement, directing sharp criticism particularly at Israel for launching what he described as massive new airstrikes on Tehran.
"Israel. Do not drop those bombs. If you do it is a major violation. Bring your pilots home, now!" Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly before departing for the NATO summit in The Hague.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he was “not happy” with either side. “I’ve got to get Israel to calm down now,” he said. “As soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before.”
The remarks came in response to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s announcement that he had ordered new strikes on Iranian targets following what he called a "blatant violation" of the truce by Tehran. Israel accused Iran of launching missiles despite the ceasefire. Iran, however, denied firing any missiles and claimed Israeli attacks continued well beyond the ceasefire start time.
The conflict had entered its twelfth day when the truce was announced, following a surprise Israeli strike that initiated the escalation and a subsequent U.S. air campaign against Iranian nuclear sites. Despite the ongoing breaches, a fragile sense of relief was palpable in both countries.
"We’re happy, very happy. Who mediated or how it happened doesn’t matter. The war is over. It never should have started in the first place," said Reza Sharifi, a resident returning to Tehran after fleeing to northern Iran.
In Tel Aviv, software engineer Arik Daimant expressed cautious optimism: "Regrettably, it’s a bit too late for me and my family, because our house was totally destroyed in the recent bombings. But as they say: better late than never."
Trump, visibly frustrated, added: “They've been fighting so long and so hard that they don't know what the fuckk they're doing,” before turning away from reporters and boarding his helicopter.
The ceasefire, brokered under U.S. pressure, now hangs in the balance as international actors monitor the situation closely.