In a dramatic escalation just days after a fragile ceasefire was announced, Israel has officially ordered “intense strikes” on Tehran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed the move was in response to Iranian violations of a U.S.-brokered truce, while Iran vehemently denies any breach and warns of decisive retaliation.

🔥 Israel Escalates Strikes on Tehran

On June 24, 2025, amid a volatile ceasefire purportedly mediated by former President Donald Trump and Qatar, Israel intensified its air campaign over Tehran. Defense Minister Katz directed the Israeli Defense Forces to launch what he described as “intense strikes” targeting regime entities—specifically, nuclear research and Revolutionary Guard facilities. The operation deployed over 60 aircraft aiming to destabilize Iran’s political and military infrastructure.

Brigadier-General Effie Defrin, an IDF spokesperson, confirmed attacks across Tehran and western Iran, emphasizing a need to reaffirm deterrence after recent Iranian missile salvos directed at Israeli cities.

🕊️ Iran Denies Violating the Ceasefire

Iran’s leadership promptly dismissed Israeli claims of ceasefire violations. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted Iran halted its operations precisely at the agreed deadline: 4 a.m. Tehran time. He stated Iran’s military operations “continued until the very last minute” and that any future move would depend on whether Israel ceases its strikes first.

Araghchi emphasized: “There is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations”, signaling Tehran’s rejection of Israel’s narrative and its unilateral claims.

🧍 Impacts & Regional Ripple Effects

This escalation has reignited civilian anxiety across the region. Iran’s population continues to evacuate Tehran—part of the mass exodus triggered by the aerial bombardments earlier. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Hezbollah has been urged to heed warnings not to join the fray or risk opening a second front.

The United Nations, alongside the International Atomic Energy Agency and global powers including the U.K. and China, has repeatedly urged both nations to de-escalate—given the heightened risk of hitting nuclear or civilian infrastructure.

⚖️ The Bigger Picture: War or Pause?

Despite Israel’s assertive posture, analysts warn that its expanded air campaign may undermine any nascent diplomatic settlement. The absence of third-party truce verification or agreed enforcement mechanisms means both nations’ interpretations of the ceasefire terms—especially around who struck first—are sharply at odds.

Israel’s vow to “strike regime symbols” and Iran’s denial of truce violation deepens the strategic ambiguity that may keep this conflict in a perpetual cycle of pause-and-pummel, rather than a genuine de-escalation.

🕰️ What’s Next?

Monitoring Developments: Will Iran retaliate now that Israel has escalated strikes? The Revolutionary Guards have vowed decisive responses to any ongoing aggression.

Diplomatic Push: European envoys, along with Qatar and the UN, may attempt to reframe the ceasefire into a more enforceable agreement—highlighting the urgent need for neutral observers and transparent rules.

Risk of Wider War: With Hezbollah on alert and U.S. policymakers contemplating involvement, the conflict risks expanding unless prevented by swift diplomatic intervention.

📝 Bottom Line Israel’s move to intensify strikes on Tehran in outright defiance of Iran’s ceasefire claim casts serious doubt on any notion of an enduring truce. Unless external actors can renegotiate and solidify terms, this tit-for-tat escalation may merely be the prelude to a larger, more destructive conflict.