Missile Attacks Disrupt Fragile Israel-Iran Truce.
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran, announced on June 23, 2025, was meant to end a 12-day conflict. However, on June 24, 2025, sirens blared across Israel as Iran launched six waves of missiles, including strikes on Tel Aviv and Beersheba. The attacks killed four people in Beersheba, according to Israeli authorities, and raised doubts about the ceasefire’s stability. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated that the military would respond decisively to Iran’s actions.
The ceasefire followed intense fighting, with U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and Iran’s retaliatory attacks on U.S. bases in Qatar and Syria. On June 22, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the strikes destroyed Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, though no evidence was provided. Iran’s missile launches on June 24 targeted Israeli cities and military sites, with local media reporting active air defenses in Tel Aviv. The attacks came just 15 minutes after the ceasefire was supposed to take effect.
The international community is on edge as the Middle East faces the risk of further escalation. Gulf states, including Qatar and the UAE, are on high alert, with Bahrain setting up 33 shelters for safety. The United Nations and other global bodies have called for restraint to prevent a wider conflict. Russia condemned the U.S. strikes on Iran as a violation of international law, adding to diplomatic tensions.
For the rest of the world, the conflict could affect global oil prices and trade routes, especially through the Strait of Hormuz. Rising freight costs and disrupted shipping lanes may increase the cost of goods, impacting economies reliant on imports. The situation remains fluid, with both sides showing little willingness to back down.