Israel and Iran continue to exchange fire despite Trump’s ceasefire declaration

Israel defence minister orders army to ‘respond forcefully’ after claiming Tehran has violated US president’s ceasefire

The Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, Israel, early Wednesday June 18.

Donald Trump has declared a ceasefire intended to bring an end to a 12-day war between Israel and Iran, but despite public acceptance of the truce, both sides continued to exchange fire on Tuesday morning.

Air raid sirens sounded in northern Israel at about 10.30pm, in response to what the Israeli military said was an Iranian missile launch, some two and a half hours after the ceasefire was first announced. Israeli reports said that two missiles had been intercepted. Iran denied launching missiles after the ceasefire but Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said he had ordered immediate retaliation on Tehran.