Iran reignites conflict hours after ceasefire, Israeli military ordered to strike back as tensions escalate

Just hours after a fragile ceasefire deal was announced, the Israel-Iran conflict flared up again with deadly consequences. The Israeli military reported a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks on June 24, barely 2.5 hours after US President Donald Trump declared a “complete and total” ceasefire between the warring nations.

The renewed Iranian strike targeted a residential building in southern Israel, killing four civilians and forcing Israel’s defense systems into high alert as incoming missiles were intercepted across its airspace. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who earlier agreed to the US-brokered ceasefire, has now authorized his military to “respond forcefully” to Iran’s breach.

Iran, for its part, denied any formal ceasefire agreement, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating there was "no agreement" in place. Iran’s state media instead hailed the ongoing strikes as a show of strength, claiming the ceasefire had been "imposed" on Israel following Tehran’s successful assault on US positions in Qatar.

The current spike in hostilities follows a dramatic escalation over the weekend. On June 22, US B-2 bombers struck three Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to retaliate directly against America’s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar late Monday night. Explosions rocked Doha’s skies as Iran reportedly fired six missiles, triggering temporary airspace closures across several Gulf nations.

With the conflict threatening to spiral beyond Israel and Iran, regional security has grown increasingly precarious. France condemned Israel's reported strike on Tehran’s Evin prison, while tensions continue to simmer in the critical Strait of Hormuz — though oil tanker traffic remains largely unaffected so far.

The conflict's ripple effects have also disrupted global air travel. Indian airlines, citing safety concerns amid closed Middle East air corridors, have suspended flights to the region. National carrier Air India has halted services not only to the Middle East but also to parts of Europe, the US, and Canada, stranding thousands of passengers.

Meanwhile, India remains in evacuation mode. On Tuesday, a fresh batch of 292 Indian nationals was flown back from Mashhad, Iran, bringing the total number of evacuees to over 2,200 amid the escalating crossfire.

Amid the growing chaos, diplomatic backchannels remain active. Iran’s deputy foreign minister publicly thanked Qatar for playing a “constructive role” in preventing further regional escalation — even as fresh salvos suggest a dangerous breakdown of restraint.