‘We’ll respond forcefully if truce is violated’ — Israel confirms ceasefire with Iran

Israel says it has entered into a bilateral ceasefire deal with Iran.

The decision confirms US President Donald Trump’s earlier announcement of a “total and complete” ceasefire between both countries, bringing the 12-day war to a close.

The truce takes effect Tuesday.

But a statement from the prime minister’s office said Israel will “respond forcefully” to any violations of the truce.

“Israel has removed a dual immediate existential threat — both in the nuclear and ballistic missile fields,” the statement reads.

According to the statement, “the IDF achieved full air control over Tehran’s skies, inflicted severe damage on the military leadership, and destroyed dozens of central Iranian government targets”.

“Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defense and their participation in eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat,” the statement added.

The ceasefire was announced shortly after four people were reportedly killed when an Iranian ballistic missile hit a residential building in Israel’s southern city of Beersheba.

The strikes were conducted in the final minutes before the ceasefire was set to take effect — at 4am Tehran time.

Abbas Araghchi, Iranian foreign minister, thanked troops “who responded to every enemy attack until the very last minute”.

Araghchi avoided the term ‘ceasefire’ but noted that Tehran would halt military operations.