Israel Vows Retaliatory Strikes on Tehran as Iran Denies Launching New Missile Attack – Just Hours After Ceasefire Began

(AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Israel vowed to carry out what it called “intense” retaliatory airstrikes targeting Tehran after missile strikes from Iran landed in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba on Tuesday morning, killing four civilians and reigniting conflict just hours after President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire between the countries.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that two ballistic missiles were launched from Iran, triggering sirens in northern Israel and sending residents scrambling into bomb shelters.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said he had “instructed the IDF to respond forcefully” to the breach, confirming strikes planned on “targets in the heart of Tehran.”

Israel will strike Iran “with force” following what it called a “grave violation” of the ceasefire, the Israeli military’s chief of staff said on Tuesday, as officials vowed that Tehran would “pay” for the attack.

However, Iran has denied launching any missiles since the U.S.-brokered truce took effect.

“Reports published about missile launches from Iran toward the occupied territories after imposing a ceasefire on the Zionist regime are denied,” Iranian state media said, calling Israel’s accusations false.

The strikes marked a dramatic collapse of the fragile truce announced earlier that morning, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed had been achieved after neutralizing “the dual immediate existential threat” posed by Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programs.

The late-night agreement brokered by Trump was declared on Monday as a phased ceasefire had been reached and that the war would officially “end” within 24 hours. Trump, speaking from Palm Beach, said the deal would “bring the Middle East back from the brink.”