The skies over Israel and Iran looked calm on the second day of a ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump that appears to be holding after a volatile start.
On the morning of 25 June, Israeli authorities lifted most war-related restrictions on civilians, hours after US President Donald Trump sharply criticised both sides for violating the ceasefire he announced late in the evening of 23 June.
The Israeli military said it made the decision to ease restrictions after assessing the security situation.
The move will allow schools to resume classes and allow gatherings across the country without restrictions, although some of those related to the conflict in the Gaza Strip will remain.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said his country is ready to return to normal existence as the ceasefire agreement has begun to take effect. Pezeshkian said in a nationally televised address, “Starting today, the government and relevant institutions will begin to rebuild and restore normal life.”
He called Israel’s action a “terrorist attack” that came at a time when Iran was seeking diplomatic dialogue with the United States.
After rocket and airstrikes by both sides caused severe destruction and numerous casualties before the ceasefire began at 7 a.m. on June 24 – and also after that deadline – Trump sharply criticised such actions.
“They [the Iranians] violated it, but Israel also violated it,” Trump said. He added: “I’m not happy with Israel.”
Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz later told US Defence Secretary Pete Hagset that his country would respect the ceasefire if Iran did not violate it. Pezeshkian also said Iran would abide by the ceasefire as long as Israel does, Iranian media reported.
Trump’s statement on the ceasefire came after Iran fired missiles at the US Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar on 23 June, causing no casualties.
The US president said Tehran had notified Washington of the attack in advance – a move many analysts believe shows Iran is not seeking to escalate the crisis after US forces struck several Iranian nuclear sites on 21 June.
Trump said US troops had “destroyed” Iran’s nuclear facilities, although questions remain over the extent of damage to Iran’s nuclear programme. US media, citing intelligence sources, said the strikes had only set back Iran’s programme by several months. The White House has denied these reports.
In a publication in Truth Social late on the evening of 24 June, Trump stressed: “the nuclear facilities in Iran have been completely destroyed.”
The conflict erupted after Israel launched massive air strikes against Iranian nuclear and military facilities on 13 June, killing many high-ranking commanders – mostly from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – and nuclear scientists.
Iran responded with missile and drone strikes on Israeli cities. Israel, the United States and other Western countries insist Iran will not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran maintains that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.