Tensions Escalate as Ceasefire Between Israel and Iran Crumbles

The commander of the Basij counterintelligence protection forces was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike on Monday afternoon.;

By :  Palakshi
Update: 2025-06-24 14:15 GMT
Tensions Escalate as Ceasefire Between Israel and Iran Crumbles
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Just hours after US President Donald Trump reaffirmed that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran was "in effect," reports of explosions surfaced in northern Iran on Tuesday, casting serious doubt over the truce.

Iranian media outlets reported hearing blasts and witnessing air defense activity in the northern cities of Babol and Babolsar. Later, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that Mohammad Taghi Yousefvand, the commander of intelligence protection for the Basij paramilitary forces, had been killed in what they described as an Israeli missile strike.

In a statement, the IRGC said: "The commander of Basij counterintelligence protection forces was martyred in a Zionist regime attack."

According to reports, the strikes occurred on Monday afternoon and targeted multiple locations in Tehran. Israeli officials later confirmed to the Times of Israel that their forces had carried out a limited strike on an Iranian radar installation north of Tehran. They said the action was in direct response to ballistic missiles launched by Iran toward Israel earlier that day.

In a further blow to the fragile ceasefire, Iranian sources also claimed that Mohammad-Reza Sedighi Saber, a senior nuclear scientist, was killed in an Israeli strike on his family home in the northern city of Astaneh Ashrafieh.

The renewed violence appears to have triggered a sharp reaction from President Trump, who reportedly lashed out at both countries for violating the ceasefire. Frustrated by the escalating conflict, he warned Israel against further military action and demanded that Israeli pilots return home immediately.

Trump is said to have called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to halt any further strikes on Iran. According to reports, Netanyahu pushed back, stating that a limited response was necessary given Iran’s breach of the truce.

Following their conversation, Netanyahu’s office released a statement saying that "President Trump expressed his immense appreciation for Israel, which achieved all of its war goals. The president also expressed his confidence in the stability of the ceasefire."

Netanyahu later confirmed that after speaking with Trump, Israel held back from launching additional attacks.

Despite the ceasefire's shaky status, both sides appear to be signaling an unwillingness to escalate further — for now.

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