'Do Not Drop Those Bombs': Trump Warns Israel Against Attacking Iran; Then Claims 'Ceasefire In Effect'
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday sharply criticised both Israel and Iran for violating a ceasefire agreement he had earlier declared. Trump, who was preparing to depart for a NATO summit in The Hague, conveyed his disappointment over the continuation of hostilities, particularly taking issue with Israel’s response following the truce announcement. He warned Israel against attacking Iran, then claimed the ceasefire continues.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump remarked, “They violated it but Israel violated it too. As soon as we made the deal, Israel came out and dropped a load of bombs… We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f** they’re doing.”*
He added, “I’m not happy with Israel,” and expressed hope that he could intervene to halt the escalating situation.
“Do Not Drop Those Bombs”: Trump’s Stern Message to Israel
Taking to Truth Social, Trump issued a direct message to Israeli leadership: “Israel. Do not drop those bombs. If you do, it is a major violation. Bring your pilots home, now! Donald J. Trump, President of the United States.”
He then claimed, "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! Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES"
His online post came shortly after the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) declared plans to retaliate against what it claimed was a severe violation of the truce by the Iranian regime. However, Tehran dismissed the accusations, denying any missile launches against Israel.
According to Reuters, Trump was especially frustrated by Israel’s military actions, stating, “I am not happy that Israel is going out now. There was one rocket that I guess was fired overboard, and it missed its target. Now Israel is going out. These guys gotta calm down. Ridiculous. I didn't like the fact that Israel unloaded right after we made the deal... That's not what we want...”
Israel Vows Action Against Iran's Ceasefire Violation, Iran Denies Aggression
The situation rapidly deteriorated after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that he had authorised a series of new strikes targeting Tehran, labelling them a response to Iran’s “blatant violation” of the ceasefire. In contrast, Iran denied any aggression, alleging that Israeli strikes persisted for an hour and a half after the truce deadline had come into effect.
Despite the turmoil, there were reports of cautious optimism in parts of the Middle East, as residents expressed relief that a path to peace might finally be emerging. As per Reuters, Reza Sharifi, a 38-year-old Iranian returning to Tehran from Rasht, said, “We’re happy, very happy. Who mediated or how it happened doesn’t matter. The war is over. It never should have started in the first place.”
In Israel, Arik Daimant, a software engineer from Tel Aviv, shared his grief over the destruction of his home during a bombing the previous Sunday. “Regrettably, it’s a bit too late for me and my family… But as they say: ‘better late than never’, and I hope this ceasefire is a new beginning,” he told Reuters.
Ceasefire Declared, but Tensions Remain High
Trump had earlier announced the ceasefire through a Truth Social post: “THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!” But with both sides trading blame and launching strikes, the viability of the truce appears in jeopardy.
Emergency personnel continued to respond to damage on the ground, including missile impacts on residential areas in Be’er Sheva, southern Israel, as reported by Reuters. The broader regional and global communities remain watchful, hoping that the ceasefire might still hold in the coming days.
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