Israel-Iran War: The truce between Israel and Iran — which US President Donald Trump claims to have brokered, saying both nations came to him at the same time and said “peace” — appears to be holding for now. However, tensions remain high as both sides violated the ceasefire shortly after it was announced, including an Iranian missile strike and an Israeli offensive on Tehran. President Trump, frustrated by the truce breaches, used strong language on live television to criticise both nations and instructed Israel to stop further attacks and return its fighter jets.
The White House has pushed back against reports claiming that US airstrikes failed to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities, clarifying that while damage was done, the program may have only been delayed by a few months. Both countries are claiming victory after what Trump called “The 12-day war”.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday accused Iran of violating the ceasefire after launching a salvo of missiles into Israeli territory. The strikes came just hours after US President Donald Trump announced what he called a “complete and total ceasefire” between Iran and Israel.
What did Iran say about the ceasefire?
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi defended Tehran’s actions. In a post on X, he insisted Iran had only responded to Israeli “aggression.”
“As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around,” Araghchi wrote. “As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards,” he added.
Araghchi praised Iran’s Armed Forces for their resilience, saying they fought until the last minute and would hold fire only if their conditions were met.
What did Trump say?
Tuesday morning (Indian time), President Trump declared that both Iran and Israel had agreed to the ceasefire. According to Trump, the truce was a two-phase process — Iran would halt military operations first, followed by Israel 12 hours later.
“Israel and Iran have agreed that this is a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE,” Trump wrote on social media. “Iran will officially begin at the 0-hour mark. Twelve hours after that, Israel will implement its own CEASEFIRE. Finally, after 24 hours of mutual respect, the world will bear witness to the official end of this 12-day war.”
“Israel & Iran came to me, almost simultaneously, and said, “PEACE!” I knew the time was NOW. The World, and the Middle East, are the real WINNERS! Both Nations will see tremendous LOVE, PEACE, AND PROSPERITY in their futures. They have so much to gain, and yet, so much to lose if they stray from the road of RIGHTEOUSNESS & TRUTH. The future for Israel & Iran is UNLIMITED, & filled with great PROMISE. GOD BLESS YOU BOTH!” reads Trump’s post on Truth Social.
US strikes Iranian nuclear sites
The ceasefire announcement followed US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — which Trump claimed had “obliterated” their targets.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: EU capitals believe Iran moved uranium from Fordow before US strikes, says report
Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile remains largely intact following U.S. strikes on its main nuclear sites, European capitals believe, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.
The newspaper, citing two people briefed on preliminary intelligence assessments, said European capitals believe Iran's stockpile of 408 kilogram of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels was not concentrated in Fordow, one of its two main enrichment sites, at the time of last weekend's attack.
“The cars and small trucks at the site were those of concrete workers trying to cover up the top of the shafts. Nothing was taken out of facility. Would take too long, too dangerous, and very heavy and hard to move,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: 'Fire everyone involved in this Witch Hunt' fumes Trump
"One of the greatest, most professional, and most “confirming” News Conferences I have ever seen! The Fake News should fire everyone involved in this Witch Hunt, and apologize to our great warriors, and everyone else!" the US President wrote on Truth Social.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: India evacuated more than 4000 citizens amid Operation Sindhu
India evacuated 3,426 Indian nationals from Iran, 818 from Israel in Operation Sindhu," the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: 'We significantly damaged Iran's nuclear site'
Top US officials doubled down on their claims of 'significantly damaging Iranian nuclear sites' during the press conference on Thursday.
President Donald Trump had earlier insisted the US strikes delivered a “devastating” attack and that questioning his assessment of the strike was not only unpatriotic but also makes the pilots who dropped the bombs “very upset.”
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Hegseth minimises intelligence assessment
The US defense secretary minimized the importance of a preliminary intelligence assessment that concluded U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities had damaged but not permanently destroyed them. Hegseth also scolded the media for “breathlessly” focusing on an assessment from the Defense Intelligence Agency even though the DIA is part of the Defense Department. He said the assessment was preliminary and had not been coordinated with other agencies in the intelligence community. He said other intelligence assessments have been more bullish in their assessments on damage of the sites.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Trump continues diatribe against US media, says scribes may be fired
"Rumor is that the Failing New York Times and Fake News CNN will be firing the reporters who made up the FAKE stories on the Iran Nuclear sites because they got it so wrong. Lets see what happens?" the US President wrote on Truth Social.
He also shared a separate message urging people to watch the press conference.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Hegseth leads US Pentagon presser, lambasts media
The news conference began with Hegseth, a former Fox News host, criticizing the media for “hunting for scandals all the time.”
He accused reporters of failing to acknowledge “historic moments” like improved military recruiting and increased spending on European defense by US allies on the continent.
He then shifted to attacking the “fake news” for reporting on a preliminary assessment about the impact of recent US strikes on Iran.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Iranian airspace to remain closed till Friday afternoon
Iranian media quoted officials to say that the country's airspace was set to remain closed till 2:00 pm on Friday (local time).
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Russia says it wants cooperation between Iran and IAEA to continue
Russia wants Iran to continue its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.
Iran's parliament approved a bill on Wednesday to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, after Israel and the United States bombed Iran's nuclear sites with the aim of preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Iran denies any intention of building a nuclear bomb. Russia, which has a strategic partnership with Iran, has condemned the Israeli and U.S. strikes and says Tehran has the right to a peaceful nuclear energy programme.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Netanyahu thanks Trump for support
“Thank you, President Trump, for your moving support for me and your tremendous support for Israel and the Jewish people. We will continue to work together to defeat our common enemies, free our captives, and quickly expand the circle of peace,” Netanyahu posted on social media platform X.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Khamenei says future aggression 'would come at great cost'
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Thursday during a televised speech that any future aggression against Iran would come at a great cost.
Khamenei also said that Iran's ability to potentially reach major U.S. military bases is a considerable achievement, and added that such actions could be repeated if aggression is renewed.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: 'Hard slap to America's face'
Iran's supreme leader said his country had 'delivered a hard slap to America's face' in first appearance since the ceasefire was announced.
"The American regime entered into direct war because it felt that if it did not, the Zionist regime would be completely destroyed. However, it achieved nothing from this war. Here too, the Islamic Republic emerged victorious and, in return, delivered a hard slap to America's face," he wrote on X.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Khamenei says 'US entered the war because...'
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei made his first public statement Thursday after the end of the Israel-Iran war.
"US entered the war because it felt if it did not, Israel would be completely destroyed. US gained no achievement from this war," he wrote on X.
Khamenei took shelter in a secret location during the 12-day war as Israeli forces pounded Tehran before the US intervened on its behalf.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: 'Victory of Iran over American regime'
The Supreme Leader of Iran shared his first public statement since the ceasefire was announced. He congratulated the country for securing a 'victory' over Israel and the US.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Khamenei hails 'victory' over Israel
"I offer my congratulations on the victory over the fallacious Zionist regime," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote on X.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei to deliver address shortly
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will speak within the next few minutes in a video message on Thursday, his first message since Washington announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, his account said on X.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: UN nuclear watchdog chief says Fordow centrifuges 'no longer operational'
UN nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) director general Rafael Grossi said that the centrifuges at Fordow, one of the most key Iranian nuclear sites, are "no longer operational" after the US airstrikes.
"On the basis of satellite images, we can deduct quite precise conclusions on the consequences of the bombing," he told French radio station Radio France Internationale on Thursday.
"Given the power of these bombs and technical characteristics of the centrifuges, we do know that they are no longer operational, simply because of the vibration, which causes considerable, important physical damage," he explained.
"I know the plant very well, it’s a network of tunnels with different types of activity. What we saw on the pictures corresponds more or less to the enrichment hall, that’s what’s been hit."
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: CNN defends journalist who reported early US-Iran airstrike intel assessment
With CNN's report detailing an alleged preliminary Pentagon intelligence assessment of how much damaged US airstrikes had caused Iranian nuclear program brewing a storm, the outlet has now defended the journalist who covered the piece.
Releasing an official statement, CNN Communication said that they stood "behind Natasha Bertrand's journalism and specifically her and her colleagues' reporting of the early assessment of the US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: WH press secretary issues grave warning after Pentagon intel leak
After the announcement that the White House is actively looking for the person who allegedly leaked the preliminary Pentagon intelligence assessment drawing up claims of damaged incurred by Iranian nuclear sites, press secretary Karoline Leavitt has also issued a grave warning.
While speaking to reporters, she said, "They should go to jail."
With the FBI leading the investigation, the US Department of Justice is ready to act on the results once the suspect is found.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Trump reacts to NATO boss calling him 'daddy'
Discussing Trump's role during the Israel-Iran conflict, NATA Secretary Mark Rutte gave him a new nickname: "Daddy."
A Sky News journalist's question "Mark Rutte, the NATO chief, who is your friend, he called you 'daddy' earlier. Do you regard your NATO allies as kind of children?" prompted a bout of laughter.
Trump, who couldn't hold back his expressions of amusement at the inquiry, said, "No, he likes me, I think he likes me. If he doesn't, I'll let you know. I'll come back and I'll hit him hard, ok?"
He ultimately added, "I think they need a little help at the beginning. And I think they will be able to, and I think they are gonna remember this day, and this is a big day for NATO."
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: US and Iran to meet
Trump said Wednesday that the US and Iran plan to hold talks next week. It has yet to be revealed what exactly will be the subject matter of these discussions.
"We may sign an agreement," POTUS said at a news conference at NATO summit conclusion. "I don’t know. To me, I don’t think it’s that necessary. I mean they had a war they fought. Now they’re going back to their world. I don’t care if I have an agreement or not."
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Democratic senator voices concerns about Trump admin limiting classified information
Virginia's Democratic Senator Tim Kaine called the Trump administration's decision to limit sharing of classified information with Congress "troubling."
The member of the Senate Armed Serviced and Foreign Relations Committee told CNN, "On the attack on the Iranian facilities over the weekend, Republicans were briefed and Democrats weren’t. And so now, apparently, President (Donald) Trump has decided that war and bombing is partisan and not bipartisan."
"And this is a real problem. So when they’re saying now they’re going to pull back even more. This is not about pulling back against Democrats. It’s about not informing the American public."
Expressing his distrust of Trump's explanations, he added, "Now, in the aftermath of the attack, the US bombing on Saturday, some are saying we’ve destroyed the program and others are saying we’ve set it back a few months. I mean, if we’ve learned anything in the last 20 years, the US should not be lied into a war."
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: White House to share limited classified information with Congress
After CNN reported on a preliminary Pentagon intelligence assessment suggesting that US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites did not destroy them, a senior WH official told the agency that the Trump admin will be limiting its sharing of classified information with Congress. Meanwhile, they're also conducting an investigation to find out who leaked the assessment.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Hegseth to hold 'major news conference' on US-Iran strikes
US President Donald Trump announced that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is all set to hold a "major" news conference Thursday morning. This media address comes amid speculation about the true extent of damage incurred by the Iranian nuclear facilities after the US launched its 'Operation Midnight Hammer.'
"Hegseth, together with Military Representatives, will be holding a Major News Conference tomorrow morning at 8 A.M. EST at The Pentagon, in order to fight for the Dignity of our Great American Pilots," Trump said a Truth Social post. "The News Conference will prove both interesting and irrefutable."
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Feds behind leaker of initial Pentagon intel on Iran attack
White House officials are in search of the suspected "low-level paper pusher" who leaked the initial Pentagon intelligence assessment detailing the alleged extent of the nuclear program destruction. After the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment was reported by CNN, the CIA had outed its own discoveries tied to the airstrikes, as per the New York Post.
The preliminary DIA report circulating over the weekend suggested that the US strikes did not destroy the core components of the Iranian nuclear facilities and only set their program back by months. However, The Post now claims that CIA's intel shows them that nuclear development has suffered a years-long setback.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Trump urges Israel to drop Netanyahu’s corruption trial case
US President Donald Trump has urged Israel to either drop the ongoing corruption trial against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or grant a pardon to him. In a social media post on Truth Social, Trump described Netanyahu as a ‘"great hero’’ who has contributed extremely to Israel. He also said that the trial against him should be ‘"immediately cancelled.’’
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE:NATO's Rutte likens Trump to a 'daddy' in clash
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday likened President Donald Trump to a "daddy" intervening in a schoolyard brawl after the U.S. leader repeatedly berated Middle East foes Israel and Iran this week including with a profanity.
Talking to reporters alongside Rutte at a NATO alliance summit, Trump again berated Israel and Iran.
"They've had a big fight, like two kids in a schoolyard. You know, they fight like hell, you can't stop them. Let them fight for about 2-3 minutes, then it's easy to stop them," he said.
In response, Rutte laughed and said: "And then daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get (them to) stop."
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Iran Parliament passes bill to suspend cooperation with IAEA
According to reports, the Iranian parliament has approved a bill to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The new legislation will put an end to IAEA inspections and limit access to Iran’s nuclear sites.
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: S&P 500 nears record high as Middle East tensions cool
The benchmark S&P 500 hovered close to an all-time high on Wednesday as an Israel-Iran ceasefire appeared to be holding and investors watched Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's congressional testimony for hints on the monetary policy path.
The S&P 500 index remains about 0.6% below its peak, hit in February, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq is about 0.8% below a record high as the de-escalation in Middle East hostilities supported risk sentiment.
The Nasdaq 100 - a subset of the Nasdaq composite index - touched an intraday record high.
Despite isolated violations of the ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump a day earlier, investors remained optimistic that the truce between the two warring nations would last.