President slams BOTH sides for breaking ceasefire he’d hailed as end to ’12 Day War’ – but saves his harshest criticism for Tel Aviv as Israeli jets prepare revenge strikes
Donald Trump’s celebrated Middle East peace deal has spectacularly collapsed within hours as the US President unleashed his fury at both Israel and Iran for violating the ceasefire he’d personally brokered.
The commander-in-chief took to Truth Social with a stark warning to Israel after its defence minister ordered “intense strikes” on Tehran, typing in all caps: “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!”
His intervention came as the fragile truce – which Trump had triumphantly announced just hours earlier as ending “THE 12 DAY WAR” – descended into chaos with both sides trading accusations of breaches and preparing for renewed hostilities.
Speaking outside the White House on Tuesday morning, a visibly frustrated Trump told reporters he was “unhappy” with both nations but appeared particularly incensed with Israel’s rush to retaliate.
The dramatic breakdown represents a stunning blow to Trump’s foreign policy ambitions after he’d taken credit for orchestrating what he called a “Complete and Total CEASEFIRE” through high-level negotiations involving Qatar’s leadership.
Dawn violations spark immediate crisis
The ceasefire, which had taken effect in the early hours of Tuesday morning following a phased 24-hour implementation, lasted mere hours before unravelling amid mutual recriminations.
Israel’s military claimed it detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran at 10:30am local time – a charge Tehran vehemently denied. The alleged strike prompted an immediate and forceful response from Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz.
I have instructed the IDF to respond forcefully to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire with intense strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran,” Katz declared, setting the stage for a dangerous escalation.
Iran’s General Staff flatly rejected the Israeli accusations, with state-aligned Tasnim news agency carrying their denial of any missile launches. Iranian officials instead accused Israel of continuing strikes 90 minutes past the ceasefire deadline.
The finger-pointing has left the region teetering on the brink of renewed warfare just as civilians on both sides had begun celebrating what they hoped would be lasting peace.
Trump’s triumph turns to frustration
Just 24 hours earlier, Trump had basked in the glow of what appeared to be a major diplomatic victory. His announcement on Monday evening that both nations had agreed to end hostilities was met with relief across the region and praise from world leaders.
This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will!” Trump had posted triumphantly, adding: “God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!
The deal, brokered with crucial assistance from Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, followed a devastating 12-day conflict that began when Israel launched surprise strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities on June 13.
According to a diplomat briefed on the negotiations, Trump personally called Qatar’s leader to reveal that the US had convinced Israel to agree to a ceasefire, then asked for help persuading Tehran to do the same. Vice President JD Vance reportedly coordinated the details with Qatar’s Prime Minister.
Deadly final hours before ‘peace’
The hours leading up to the ceasefire’s implementation saw some of the conflict’s deadliest exchanges. Iranian missiles killed at least five people in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba, with emergency services describing scenes of “extensive damage and destruction to residential buildings.
In Iran, state media reported nine deaths including a nuclear scientist in northern Gilan province from Israeli strikes. The violence continued virtually until the ceasefire deadline, with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi thanking the country’s armed forces for responding “until the very last minute.
The intense final bombardments appeared to set the stage for the rapid breakdown of the truce, with both sides seemingly primed for immediate retaliation at the first sign of violation.
Netanyahu’s victory declaration rings hollow
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had hailed the ceasefire as validation of Israel’s military campaign, claiming the country had achieved “all of the objectives” of its operations by eliminating Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile threats.
Israel has removed a dual immediate existential threat,” his office stated, expressing gratitude to Trump and the United States for “their support in defense and their participation in eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat.
Yet within hours of that triumphant declaration, Netanyahu’s defence minister was preparing to unleash fresh strikes on Tehran, threatening to reignite the very conflict Israel had claimed to have won decisively.
Region holds its breath
The rapid deterioration has left Middle Eastern nations and the international community scrambling to salvage what remains of the peace process. Qatar’s Prime Minister, who played a crucial role in securing the original agreement, is reportedly working frantically behind the scenes to prevent a complete collapse.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. The 12-day conflict had already claimed hundreds of lives – Iranian health officials reported at least 400 dead with 3,000 injured, while Israeli emergency services documented dozens of casualties from retaliatory strikes.
Trump’s direct intervention, particularly his forceful message to Israel, represents an unusual public rebuke of America’s closest Middle Eastern ally. It underscores the president’s determination to prevent the conflict from spiralling beyond control, even if it means openly criticising Netanyahu’s government.
A peace deal in tatters
As Israeli jets reportedly prepare for fresh strikes and Iran places its forces on high alert, Trump’s celebrated diplomatic achievement appears to be crumbling before the world’s eyes.
The president’s frustration was palpable as he addressed reporters, with sources close to the White House suggesting he felt personally betrayed by both sides’ rush to resume hostilities.
His all-caps warning to Israel – “DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS” – represents one of the most direct American attempts to restrain Israeli military action in recent memory, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Whether Trump’s intervention can pull the region back from the brink remains to be seen. But for now, his promise that the conflict “never will” destroy the Middle East faces its first major test – and it’s failing spectacularly.
The world watches anxiously as two regional powers, despite agreeing to peace just hours ago, seem determined to plunge back into a war that could indeed last for years. Trump’s fury may be justified – but whether it’s enough to stop the bombs from falling is another question entirely.
