Washington: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a stern warning to Israel against launching attacks on Iran, describing such actions as a "major violation" of a ceasefire agreement he had announced earlier. In a forceful message posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump urged Israeli leaders to recall their pilots and refrain from any military actions against Tehran.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had previously ordered the military to strike Iran, citing alleged violations of the truce by Tehran. In response, Trump assured the public through another social media post that Israel would not proceed with the attack and emphasized that the ceasefire remained intact. He indicated that all military aircraft would return to base, ensuring that no harm would come to Iranian territories.
In separate remarks at the White House before attending the NATO summit in The Hague, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with both Tel Aviv and Tehran for breaching the ceasefire. He stressed the importance of calming tensions, particularly urging Israel to maintain peace.
The conflict between Israel and Iran escalated on June 13 when Israel launched assaults on Iran's nuclear and military facilities, accusing Iran of nearing the capability to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran, which has consistently denied pursuing a nuclear weapons program, retaliated with missile strikes. This series of events led to the US conducting airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear sites, which President Trump claimed had "completely and totally obliterated" the targets.
Iran's subsequent retaliatory strike against the US military base in Qatar resulted in no substantial damage or casualties. The conflict, dubbed "The 12 DAY WAR," was brought to a halt with a ceasefire initially declared by Trump. The agreement involved a phased cessation of hostilities, starting with Iran and followed by Israel, culminating in a complete end to military operations.
Trump's declaration of the ceasefire emphasized the necessity of adherence, warning both nations against any breach: "THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!"