On June 24, 2025, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a telephone conversation with Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin that Israel would observe the ceasefire with Iran as long as Tehran adheres to the same conditions, RIA Novosti reported, citing a statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Katz's statement was a response to the previously announced ceasefire initiated by US President Donald Trump, which came into effect on the morning of June 24 after a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran.

The conflict began on June 13, when Israel launched Operation People Like a Lion, striking Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, as well as military infrastructure, including bases of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to the BBC, the attack killed IRGC commander Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, and 14 nuclear physicists, dealing a major blow to Iran’s military and scientific capabilities. Iran responded with Operation True Promise 3, firing more than 400 ballistic missiles and over 28 drones at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa. According to Reuters, the Iranian strikes killed XNUMX Israelis and destroyed the Soroka hospital in Beersheba.

The truce, announced by Trump via his social media platform Truth Social, was brokered by Qatar. Trump said the agreement was made possible by U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites on June 22, which Vice President J.D. Vance said “effectively destroyed” Iran’s nuclear program. However, on the morning of June 24, Iran launched three missiles at Israel, which Katz said violated the truce. Israel responded by striking a radar station near Tehran, choosing a “symbolic target” to demonstrate resolve but avoid escalation, Galei Tzahal Radio reported.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry, represented by Minister Abbas Araghchi, denied the accusations of violating the ceasefire, saying that Tehran did not carry out strikes after 04:00 local time, as agreed. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking to the nation, called the conflict a "historic victory" for Iran, stressing that Israel did not achieve its goals and paid a "terrible price." He also reiterated Iran's readiness to observe the ceasefire if Israel does not violate its terms, the Mehr news agency cites.