WP: US grants Israel "freedom" to respond to Iran's potential ceasefire violations

The United States has assured Israel of its “freedom of action” to respond to any potential violations of the recently brokered ceasefire with Iran, according to a report by The Washington Post, cited by Caliber.Az.

The agreement, announced by President Donald Trump, marks a tentative pause in the 12-day conflict that erupted on June 13, when Israel launched strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Citing an unnamed source, The Washington Post revealed that the U.S. government extended an “implicit understanding” to Israel, allowing Tel Aviv to act decisively if Iran breaches the truce. This assurance was part of the negotiations that culminated in the ceasefire, which both sides agreed to on June 24, following intense diplomatic efforts involving U.S., Israeli, and Qatari mediators.

The Israel-Iran conflict escalated dramatically on June 13, when Israel initiated airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, including facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, citing concerns over Iran’s advancing nuclear program. Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Israeli territory, leading to a cycle of daily exchanges that claimed over 600 lives in Iran and 28 in Israel, according to official reports. Independent estimates suggest Iran’s casualties may be significantly higher.

On June 22, the United States entered the fray, launching strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, a move Trump described as a “decisive blow” to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The U.S. intervention, which utilized heavy bunker-busting bombs, was hailed by Netanyahu as a historic turning point but drew sharp condemnation from Iran and several Arab states. Iran responded by targeting the U.S. Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, though no American casualties were reported.

By Khagan Isayev