Just hours after Iran reportedly launched rockets into southern Israel in violation of the hastily brokered truce, President Trump issued an urgent warning to the Israeli government: refrain from retaliatory strikes that could plunge the Middle East into a wider war. Speaking from the Oval Office Tuesday afternoon, Trump emphasized that “now is not the time for escalation,” calling on Prime Minister Netanyahu to hold fire and return to negotiations.
@POTUS “I have spoken with PM Netanyahu—Israel must exercise maximum restraint. We cannot allow this conflict to spiral.” via X
Trump’s intervention came after reports from Reuters indicated that IRGC-affiliated units fired nine short-range missiles at border towns near Sderot, wounding three civilians. The Iranian government claimed the strikes were “retaliatory” for what it called ongoing Israeli air raids in Gaza, despite the ceasefire announcement only 12 hours earlier.
In his televised remarks, Trump warned that any Israeli counterattack could trigger a “chain reaction” endangering American forces in the region. He pointed to recent intelligence suggesting Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria were preparing coordinated assaults on U.S. bases. “We must break this cycle,” he urged, “and give diplomacy a chance to work.” The White House transcript is available on the official site.
@WhiteHouse “President Trump calls for de-escalation after Iran breaks the ceasefire—urges both sides back to the table.” via X
On Capitol Hill, reactions were swift. Senate Foreign Relations Chair Bob Menendez (D–NJ) praised the President’s move to restrain Israel, but warned that “talks must be accompanied by enforceable monitoring. We cannot rely on goodwill alone.” Menendez’s comments to Politico underscored the need for third-party observers to verify compliance.
@SenatorMenendez “Good to see the White House urging calm, but words must translate into concrete action on the ground.” via X
Meanwhile, Senator Lindsey Graham (R–SC), a staunch supporter of Israel, expressed frustration. “Stand with our ally when they are attacked,” he tweeted. “This is not the time for lectures.” His remarks, carried by CNN Politics, reflect growing GOP unease with any perceived limit on Israel’s defensive options.
@SenLindseyGraham “Israel must defend its people. No one wants endless war, but deterrence requires action.” via X
Internationally, the United Nations called for immediate de-escalation. Secretary-General António Guterres warned that “the region is on a knife’s edge,” urging all parties to respect the ceasefire framework mediated by Qatar and the United States. In a press release, he stressed that “only diplomacy can save lives and prevent a broader conflagration.”
@UN “We urge both sides to adhere to the ceasefire and resume dialogue without delay.” via X
Analysis from the Council on Foreign Relations suggests that true stability hinges on robust monitoring—potentially by UN observers or joint commissions—to verify any cessation of hostilities on both fronts. Without such mechanisms, the truce remains “precarious,” the report warns.
On the ground in Israel, residents near the border expressed fear that the conflict might reignite. Hannah Levy, a teacher in Sderot, told The Times of Israel that “we all braced for more sirens this morning. The ceasefire gave us hope—now we wonder if it was just a pause.” Local mayors have since restored bomb-shelter drills, just in case.
@TimesofIsrael “Southern towns resume shelter drills after new rocket salvo shatters truce.” via X
In Tehran, state media framed the rocket launches as a justified response to continued Israeli strikes on Gaza. A spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry declared on IRNA that “we acted to defend Palestinian civilians.” Yet diplomatic sources in Doha told Al Jazeera that Iranian envoys never signed onto Trump’s ceasefire terms, viewing Washington’s announcement as a unilateral PR move.
Oil markets have already reacted. Brent crude climbed 3% to $93 per barrel amid fears of a widening confrontation, according to Bloomberg. Traders warned that any closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces could send prices above $100—and inflationary pressures rising globally.
@markets “Oil spikes on renewed tensions—analysts eye $100 risk if confrontations escalate.” via X
U.S. Central Command confirmed it had reinforced air defenses at bases in Iraq and deployed additional Patriot batteries to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. A CENTCOM spokesperson told Defense.gov that “we remain vigilant to protect American personnel and regional partners.”
Humanitarian organizations, meanwhile, fear dire consequences for civilians. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs cautioned that “any collapse of the ceasefire could precipitate catastrophic displacement in Gaza and southern Israel,” urging renewed diplomatic engagement to secure aid corridors OCHA bulletin.
As the region teeters on the brink once more, President Trump’s urgent warning to Israel underscores a moment of precarious opportunity: a chance to reinforce the ceasefire with concrete steps, or risk watching it unravel into a conflict with far-reaching ramifications.
