A tense calm has returned to the Middle East — but it’s fragile, and danger lurks just beneath the surface. A cease-fire between Israel and Iran, brokered by former President Donald Trump, was meant to end nearly two weeks of deadly conflict. Instead, within hours, missile launches and accusations reignited fears that war could return at any moment.
For twelve days, rockets lit up the skies, cities were damaged, and thousands of families were forced from their homes. Then, early Tuesday, Trump announced the truce, calling it a “breakthrough for peace in our time.” The global spotlight was on him, but the question remained: could this cease-fire hold?
Almost immediately, reports surfaced that the agreement was unraveling. Israeli officials claimed Iran fired missiles toward southern Israel, triggering sirens and panic in cities like Beersheba. Casualties were reported, and Israel retaliated with what it called “targeted defensive measures.” Iranian media denied any attacks, accusing Israel of fabricating events to justify renewed strikes. The result: conflicting narratives and uncertainty about who acted first.
Analysts had warned that the cease-fire was unstable. Both Israel and Iran had declared victory in the prior conflict — making compromise politically impossible. Within hours of formal acknowledgment, new alerts sounded. Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Cohen warned of decisive action against violations, while Iranian leaders claimed any allegations were false, setting the stage for a war of words as intense as the one of missiles.
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