Israel says 3 killed in Iranian blast after ceasefire call

Iran army commander-in-chief Gen. Amir Hatami, center, accompanied by high ranked army commanders, speaks in a video call with top commanders of the army. (Iranian Army Press Service via AP)

DUBAI, (AP) — Israel warned of Iranian attacks Tuesday morning hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the two Middle Eastern countries had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire."

Israel’s Magen David Zafon rescue services said at least three people were killed and eight injured in the early morning barrage. A residential building in Israel’s south sustained heavy damage, according to emergency responders.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire," but its status remained unclear as attacks continued Tuesday.

Trump's announcement came soon after Iran launched a limited missile attack Monday on a U.S. military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites.

Iran's foreign minister said that as long as Israel stopped its attacks by 4 a.m. local Tehran time Tuesday, Iran would halt its own. But nearly an hour after that deadline, Israel’s military warned its public that Iran had launched missiles towards it as sirens sounded. At least one missile interception could be seen over the skies of Jerusalem and warnings of three further attacks followed as day broke.

What appeared to be a residential building in southern Israel sustained heavy damage, according to an image released by Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services. The face of the large 7-story building appeared blown off.

It’s unclear what the detected missile launches would do for the ceasefire's timeline.

Trump's announcement on Truth Social said the ceasefire wouldn't begin until about midnight Tuesday Eastern time. He said it would bring an “Official END” to the war.

Israel doesn't confirm ceasefire but appears to pause strikes

Israel did not immediately acknowledge any ceasefire, but there were no reports of Israeli strikes in Iran after 4 a.m. local. Heavy Israeli strikes continued in Tehran and other cities until shortly before that time. Israel in other conflicts has stepped up its strikes just before ceasefires took effect.

“As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in a post on X. “However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards.”

His message was posted at 4:16 a.m. Tehran time. Araghchi added: “The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.”

The Israeli military declined to comment on Trump’s ceasefire statement and the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.