Israel ordered intensified strikes on Tehran after intercepting Iranian missiles allegedly violating a US-brokered ceasefire, while Iran denied the attacks and reaffirmed its commitment to cease hostilities.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday that he has ordered the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to carry out high-intensity strikes against regime and terror targets in Tehran. The announcement followed reports that Iran had launched missiles towards northern Israel, an act that Israel claims violated the recent ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.

Northern Israel activated missile sirens after the launches were detected, prompting Israeli officials to confirm that two Iranian missiles were intercepted by the country’s missile defence systems. The missile launches reportedly targeted Israeli territory, escalating tensions despite the ongoing ceasefire arrangement.

Iranian state media swiftly denied any missile attack on Israel, labelling the reports as false and unfounded. Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council reaffirmed the country’s commitment to a cessation of hostilities against Israel and its allies, citing recent retaliatory strikes, including an attack on a US military base in Qatar.

These developments come in the wake of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreeing to the ceasefire proposal brokered by the United States, aimed at de-escalating the conflict that has gripped the region in recent weeks.

In his statement, Defence Minister Katz stressed that Israel would not tolerate breaches of the ceasefire and would respond decisively to any attempts to threaten its security. “We have authorised the IDF to intensify our operations against Iranian regime and terror targets in Tehran to send a clear message that violations of the ceasefire will be met with swift and forceful retaliation,” Katz said.

The renewed hostilities mark a worrying turn in the fragile ceasefire situation, with both sides exchanging accusations. Israeli officials accuse Iran of undermining the agreement through missile attacks, while Tehran insists it remains committed to peace despite asserting its right to respond to provocations.

The US has yet to issue a formal response to the latest escalation, although American officials have expressed concern over reports of missile launches and the potential for renewed conflict.

International observers are calling for restraint on all sides to prevent a full-scale resumption of hostilities. The ceasefire, still in its early days, faces significant challenges amid deep-rooted animosities and mistrust between Israel and Iran.

As the situation develops, the international community will be closely monitoring the potential fallout from the latest strikes and the ongoing efforts to maintain peace in a volatile region.