A fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel held though Tuesday, a day after Iran attacked a US air base in Qatar in retaliation for America's bombing of Tehran's nuclear program sites.
The agreement to end the fighting was put in place by President Donald Trump late on Monday, and early signs on Tuesday that it was about to collapse were swiftly snuffed out.
Trump angrily rebuked Israel for sending jets to attack Iran in response to what its military said were two Iranian missiles fired from Iran.
Netanyahu's office said the prime minister had held a call with Trump and “Israel refrained from further strikes”on Iran.
In a day or intense diplomacy, the GCC's foreign ministers met in Doha to discuss Iran's attacks on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The Iranian PresidentMasoud Pezeshkian also held a series of phone calls with Gulf leaders, including the emir of QatarSheikh Tamim bin Hamad.
Saudi FM takes part in GCC emergency meeting
Ƶ’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan participated in an emergency meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers on Tuesday.
The meeting discussed Iranian aggression against Qatar, developments in the region, and their security repercussions, the Saudi foreign ministry said.
During their meeting, GCC countries affirmed their solidarity with Qatar and condemned Iranian aggression on its territory.
They said the attack constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the principles of good neighborliness,and cannot be justified under any circumstances.
Netanyahu: Israel removed Iran's nuclear threat in 12-day war
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel in its 12 days of war with Iran had removed the threat of nuclear annihilation and was determined to thwart any attempt by Tehran to revive its programme.
"We have removed two immediate existential threats to us - the threat of nuclear annihilation and the threat of annihilation by 20,000 ballistic missiles," he said in video remarks issued by his office.
“If anyone in Iran tries to revive this project, we will work with the same determination and strength to thwart any such attempt. I repeat, Iran will not have nuclear weapons.”
He called it a historic victory that would stand for generations.
Saudi crown prince, Iranian president discuss ceasefire in phone call
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke on the phone on Tuesday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which he welcomed a ceasefire between Iran and Israel announced earlier in the day, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Mohammed expressed the Kingdom’s hope that thetruce would help restore security and stability in the region and prevent the risk of further confrontation, SPA added.
He underscored Ƶ’s consistent position in supporting diplomatic dialogue as the preferred path to resolving disputes.
Qatari emir holds calls with Iranian and US presidents, condemns targeting Al-Udeid
The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, received separate phone calls from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump on Tuesday following the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ missile attack on Al-Udeid Air Base.
Sheikh Tamim strongly condemned the Iranian attack at the outset of his call with Pezeshkian. He said the act was “a blatant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace, as well as a breach of international law and the United Nations Charter.”
Sheikh Tamim said that Iran’s action contradicted the principles of good neighborliness and highlighted Doha’s ongoing commitment to dialogue with Iran.
He urged an immediate halt to military operations and a return to negotiations to resolve the crisis and ensure regional security and safety, the Qatar News Agency reported.
Israel's military chief: Airstrikes set Iran's nuclear project back 'by years'
The head of Israel's military said Tuesday that the country had set back Iran's nuclear programme "by years" during 12 days of strikes and the campaign against the country was now "entering a new phase".
"We have concluded a significant phase, but the campaign against Iran is not over. We are entering a new phase based on the achievements of the current one," Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said.
"We've set Iran's nuclear project back by years, and the same applies to its missile program."
Lebanon’s prime minister hails success in staying out of Iran-Israel conflict
During an official visit to Qatar on Tuesday, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the fact that his country had managed to avoid being pulled into the conflict between Iran and Israel that began on June 13.
When he met the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Salam hailed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran announced on Monday, and thanked Doha for its efforts to help end the hostilities. Both leaders agreed that the end of the conflict would help foster stability in Lebanon, Palestine and the wider Gulf region, the prime minister’s media office said.
During a joint press conference with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Qatar’s prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Salam said: “We in Lebanon, all of us, have succeeded in preventing the country from being drawn into a new war amid the ongoing regional conflict over the past two weeks.
Iranians welcome ceasefire but fearful for future
After 12 days of Israeli airstrikes that echoed in cities around the country, killing hundreds and sending waves of people fleeing their homes, Iranians voiced relief on Tuesday at the surprise overnight announcement of a ceasefire, Reuters reported.
For those in the Iranian capital it brought the prospect of a clean-up, a return to normal life and the soothing — for now at least — of anxiety about a further escalation and sustained warfare.
Many Iranians who fled the strikes were also glad, able to return home after tiring, expensive stays outside the city in rented accommodation or with relatives.
Doha, Dubai airports face delays after airspace shut
Operations at two of the world's busiest airports in Doha and Dubai slowed to a crawl on Tuesday as thousands of travellers queued for hours, facing long delays and flight cancellations after the temporary closure of airspace a day earlier.
Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait shut their airspace late on Monday after Iran's strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar's capital Doha, forcing airlines to cancel or reroute hundreds of flights and creating a backlog of stranded passengers.
Airports across Dubai briefly halted operations.
Iran says not seeking nuclear weapons but will assert 'legitimate rights'
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that his country was not seeking nuclear weapons but will continue to defend its "legitimate rights" as a ceasefire took hold with Israel.
"We expect you to explain to them, in your dealings with the United States, that the Islamic Republic of Iran is only seeking to assert its legitimate rights," Pezeshkian said during a phone call with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, according to the official IRNA news agency. He added that Iran was "ready to resolve the issues... at the negotiating table."
Saudi foreign minister arrives in Doha for emergency GCC meeting
Ƶ’s foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Doha on Tuesday to take part in an emergency meeting ofGulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The emergency session has been convened to discuss Monday’sIranian missile attack on US bases inQatar. The meeting will address the implications of the incident for regional security, as well as collective efforts to restore stability across the Gulf, SPA added.
Iran says it will not violate ceasefire deal unless Israel does
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday that Tehran would not violate the ceasefire deal unless Israel does, Iran's state-run Nournews said.
US President Donald Trump earlier announced that the ceasefire deal had been reached between Israel and Iran.
Tehran is prepared to talk and defend the rights of the Iranian people at the negotiating table, Nournews cited Pezeshkian as saying.
Trump says Israel-Iran ceasefire is in effect
President Donald Trump said a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was in effect Tuesday after the deal initially faltered, and he expressed deep frustration with both sides.
Israel had earlier accused Iran of launching missiles into its airspace after the truce was supposed to take effect, and the Israeli finance minister vowed that “Tehran will tremble.”
Trump told reporters at the White House before departing for a NATO summit that, in his view, both sides had violated the nascent agreement.
But later he said the deal was saved. “ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly “Plane Wave” to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect!” Trump said in his Truth Social post.
Trump rebukes Israel for post-ceasefire strikes
President Donald Trump sharply rebuked Israel on Tuesday for its military response following a ceasefire deal, and accused both Israel and Iran of violating the agreement just hours after he announced it.
"I didn't like the fact that Israel unloaded right after we made the deal. They didn't have to unload and I didn't like the fact that the retaliation was very strong," Trump told reporters on Tuesday.
"In all fairness, Israel unloaded a lot, and now I hear Israel just went out because they felt it was violated by one rocket that didn't land anywhere. That's not what we want," Trump said.
Sirens in north Israel after army detects Iranian missiles
The Israeli military reported two missiles fired from Iran mid-morning on Tuesday, leading sirens to blare in the north several hours after US President Trump announced a ceasefire plan.
“Two missiles were launched from Iran and they were intercepted,” a military official told AFP on condition of anonymity, with the army saying people could leave shelters around 15 minuutes after the first alert.
Trump announced a phased 24-hour ceasefire process beginning at around 0400 GMT Tuesday, which Israel said it had agreed to. Iran has not formally accepted a ceasefire.
US President Donald Trump announced a phased 24-hour ceasefire process beginning at around 0400 GMT on June 24, which Israel said it had agreed to. Iran has not formally accepted a ceasefire. (AFP)
China continues calls for de-escalation
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman has echoed previous calls from Beijing for de-escalation in the Middle East,callingfor parties in the region, “especially Israel,”to reduce tensions.
And it has called for a political solution to help a declared ceasefire hold.
Israeli defense minister orders attacks on Iran after ceasefire 'violation'
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday he had ordered the country’s military to respond forcefully to what he said was Iran’s violation of a ceasefire with Israel.
The directive followed an announcement by the military that it had detected missile launches from Iran towards Israel.
Less than three hours earlier, US President Donald Trump had said that the ceasefire was now in effect.
Katz said the military had been instructed to carry out high-intensity operations against targets in Tehran.
| The Foreign Ministry expresses Ƶ’s welcoming of the announcement made by President Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, regarding the agreement reached to establish a ceasefire between both parties involved in the regional escalation.…
— Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN)
Ƶ welcomes ceasefire between Iran and Israel
Ƶ’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the US-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran on Tuesday morning.
In a statement on X, the ministry affirmed its position of wanting a de-escalation after 11 days of war and thanked US President Donald Trump for his efforts in making the deal.
“The Kingdom looks forward to the coming period witnessing a commitment from all parties to calm down and refrain from using force or threatening to use it,” read the statement.
Ƶ hopes “this agreement will contribute to restoring security and stability to the region and sparing it the risks of continued escalation.”
Israel and Iran on Tuesday accepted a ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump to end their 12-day war. (AFP)
Israel and Iran accept ceasefire
Israel and Iran on Tuesday accepted a ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump to end their 12-day war that roiled the Middle East, after Tehran launched a retaliatory limited missile attack on a US military base in Qatar.
The acceptance of the deal by both sides came after Tehran launched a final onslaught of missiles targeting Israel that killed at least four people early Tuesday morning, while Israel launched a blitz of airstrikes targeting sites across Iran before dawn.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had agreed to a bilateral ceasefire with Iran in coordination with Trump.
Israeli PM Benjamin Natanyahu said he supported the ceasefire. (FILE/AFP)
Israel says agreed to Trump proposal for bilateral ceasefire with Iran
Israel said Tuesday it had agreed to a “bilateral ceasefire” with Iran proposed by US President Donald Trump, following 12 days of war with its arch-foe.
“Last night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened the cabinet... to announce that Israel had achieved all the objectives of Operation ‘Rising Lion’ and much more,” the government said in a statement, adding that it had removed “an immediate dual existential threat: nuclear and ballistic”.
“Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defense and for their participation in removing the Iranian nuclear threat,” the statement said, adding that “Israel will respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire.”
Israel rescuers say 4 dead in multi-wave Iran missile attacks
At least four people were killed in Israel in a multi-wave Iranian missile attack Tuesday shortly before a staggered ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump was meant to enter force, emergency services and the army said.
Writing on X, the Magen David Adom rescue service said three people were pronounced dead at the scene of a strike in southern Beersheba while a fourth was added in an update to its figures.
Another two people were “moderately injured” while 20 were treated for minor injuries and anxiety, it said.
