On June 24, 2025, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi denied a U.S.-claimed ceasefire, as missile strikes persisted after U.S. attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a staggered ceasefire between Iran and Israel, stating no agreement existed, per Reuters.
Araqchi, through X, urged Israel to end its “illegal aggression” by 4:00 AM Tehran time (00:30 GMT), warning that Iran’s military response would escalate if it did not comply. Despite Trump’s assertion on Truth Social about a 24-hour phased ceasefire beginning at 04:00 GMT, explosions could be heard in Tehran overnight. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that operations were ongoing.
As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around.
As of now, there is NO "agreement" on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no…
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 24, 2025Trump’s claim of a ceasefire followed U.S. B-2 bomber strikes on June 21, which targeted Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan using 30,000-pound bunker buster bombs. Israel’s military campaign, launched on June 13, resulted in over 400 deaths in Iran, while Iran’s missile attacks on Israel caused 24 fatalities.
In response, Iran retaliated on June 23 by targeting the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar with six missiles, carefully calibrated to match the number of U.S. bombs dropped. Fortunately, this attack caused no casualties. Qatar condemned the missile strike, calling it a “violation of sovereignty.”
The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am.
Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who…
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 24, 2025UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of a “perilous turn,” urging de-escalation. French President Emmanuel Macron called for an end to the “spiral of chaos,” while China highlighted economic risks. Israel’s midnight evacuation orders in Tehran signalled expanded targets. The conflict’s toll and Iran’s threat to block the Strait of Hormuz raise fears of a wider war.
