Missile Sirens in Israel: Did Iran Break the Ceasefire Hours In?

Only hours after US President Donald Trump announced that the Iran-Israel ceasefire had come into effect, sirens blared throughout northern Israel. Iran had fired ballistic missiles, said Israeli officials, who feared the fragile ceasefire had broken down. Social media images of missiles heading over Jordan fueled speculation.

But Iranian state television rejected such claims, describing reports of a post-ceasefire attack as “false.” Mistrust increased as the leaders on both sides made conflicting statements, with Trump previously celebrating the ceasefire as an instance of “peace,” while Israeli defence officials threatened retaliation.

Trump Warned Against Ceasefire Breach

President Trump declared the ceasefire in sensational terms, asserting that both sides had pressured him to act. He stated that “it is time for peace,” addressing the people of the Middle East as the “real winners.” Trump commended “RIGHTEOUSNESS & TRUTH” and stated that the future of Iran and Israel was bright.

Trump warned all sides against breaching the agreement as well. He presented the truce as a demonstration of “peace through strength” following fierce US intervention, including Iranian attacks on nuclear facilities.

Alarms in Israel, Denials in Tehran

Sirens blared in northern Israel mere hours after the ceasefire was to go into effect. Israel said Iran launched a new ballistic missile, which activated quick security warnings. But Iranian media rejected the claims. Citing Iran’s general staff, state TV reported that no missile had been fired since the ceasefire went into effect.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi previously stated operations to “punish Israel” persisted until 4 am—the very moment the ceasefire was set to start.

Israel Claims Iran Violated the Truce

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that Iran had “fully violated” the ceasefire. He instructed the military to restart attacks on Iranian governmental and military sites. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stated they would “smite with force” after Iran’s “serious violation.”

Escalation in Qatar Exacerbates Tensions

Meanwhile, Qatar summoned Iran’s ambassador after Iranian forces targeted a major US  military base on Qatari soil. That strike came in retaliation for earlier U.S. bombings on Iran’s key nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—executed by B-2 bombers.

These US attacks were part of Operation Rising Lion, during which Israeli forces also targeted Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, killing top officials.

War or Misinformation?

Iranian media, such as the Tasnim News Agency, had castigated Israel’s allegations as psychological warfare to create a gap between military strategy and diplomacy. But missile sirens, coupled with Israeli allegations and Iran’s previous assertions, continue to generate doubt about whether the ceasefire ever really started.

In spite of Trump’s declaration, the Iran-Israel ceasefire is now at stake. Amid Tehran’s ambiguous signals and Israeli threats, West Asia is at the risk of new escalation—just when peace had come within sight.