Trump Rebukes Israel, Iran Amid Fragile Ceasefire: “They Don’t Know What They’re Doing”
Washington, D.C. Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday expressed deep frustration over alleged ceasefire violations by both Israel and Iran, just hours after a truce he announced was supposed to take effect. The volatile situation, which had seen the U.S. join Israel in a military campaign targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, now teeters on the brink of collapse.
Speaking to reporters before departing for the NATO summit in The Hague, Trump said he was “not happy” with either side, warning both nations to de-escalate. “In all fairness, Israel unloaded a lot. Now I hear Israel just went out again because of one rocket that didn’t land anywhere. That’s not what we want,” Trump said. “Do not drop those bombs.”
He added bluntly: “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard, they don’t know what the f— they’re doing.”
Ceasefire Marred by Claims of Violations
The ceasefire brokered after 12 days of renewed hostilities that involved U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities was declared by Trump on Monday. Both Israel and Iran initially accepted the terms. However, by early Tuesday, both sides had already accused each other of breaching the agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Iran launched several missiles before and after the ceasefire deadline, including one that reportedly killed four people in Be’er Sheva. In retaliation, Israel said its air force destroyed a radar installation in Tehran.
Iran, meanwhile, denied initiating any missile strikes against Israeli territory after the ceasefire began. According to Iranian state-affiliated outlet Nour News, Tehran maintained it had adhered to the agreement, accusing Israel of provocation and misinformation.
Trump Orders U-Turn, Reaffirms Ceasefire
In a post from Air Force One en route to the NATO summit, Trump posted on Truth Social:
“ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly ‘Plane Wave’ to Iran. Nobody will be hurt. The Ceasefire is in effect!”
Donald J. Trump, President of the United States
Trump also doubled down on his warning to Tehran, stating, “IRAN WILL NEVER REBUILD THEIR NUCLEAR FACILITIES!”
Despite his rhetoric, Trump was careful to oppose regime change in Iran, cautioning that ousting the leadership could lead to further instability in the already volatile Middle East.
Israeli-Iranian Conflict Spills into NATO Summit
As leaders from NATO countries gathered in The Hague, the conflict between Israel and Iran overshadowed the summit’s primary agenda, which was expected to focus on Ukraine and burden-sharing among member states. Trump, who had previously criticized NATO allies for not contributing enough to joint defense budgets, said his goal was to “see if I can stop it.”
Background: U.S. Strikes and Iran’s Response
The latest round of hostilities began on June 13, when Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites. In response, the United States, under Operation Midnight Hammer, bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan marking a dramatic escalation in regional tensions.
While Trump claimed the U.S. strikes “obliterated” the sites, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has yet to independently verify the damage, though it reported no surge in off-site radiation levels.
Iran’s retaliation included a missile barrage targeting Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar a U.S. military hub. Trump later stated that 13 of the 14 missiles fired were intercepted and no casualties were reported.
Netanyahu and Trump Dismiss U.S. Intelligence Assessments
While the U.S. intelligence community maintains that Iran has not resumed its nuclear weapons program since halting it in 2003, both Trump and Netanyahu have rejected this assessment. Trump has previously shown skepticism toward American intelligence, notably during the fallout of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.
Humanitarian Concerns Rise as Attacks Escalate
Israel’s intensified military operations included an airstrike on Evin Prison in Tehran, a facility known for housing political detainees and foreign nationals. Human rights groups have long criticized conditions at the prison, and Tuesday’s strike raised renewed concerns over civilian casualties and international law.
In an unusual move, Israeli forces also issued a warning to Tehran residents, urging them to avoid government buildings and security institutions amid ongoing military operations.
Both Sides Claim Victory
Despite the chaos, both Israel and Iran claimed victory. Israel announced that its military campaign had “achieved its objectives” by crippling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said it forced Israel to “unilaterally accept defeat and agree to a ceasefire.”
As global leaders convene in Europe, the Middle East remains on edge. While Trump’s ceasefire announcement initially signaled a break in violence, fresh confrontations and inflammatory rhetoric have made peace precarious. For now, the world watches closely hoping the war drums quiet, even as both nations continue to prepare for what might come next.
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Trump Rebukes Israel, Iran Amid Fragile Ceasefire: “They Don’t Know What They’re Doing”