Iran fired multiple missile barrages targeting nearly all areas of Israel early Tuesday morning, casting doubt on a fragile U.S.- and Qatar-brokered ceasefire meant to end the brutal 12-day war between the two nations. The attacks  come amid ambiguity over the ceasefire’s start time, with a new Axios report indicating it is set to begin at 7 a.m. Israel time (12 a.m. EDT) on Tuesday, raising questions about whether Iran’s actions constitute a violation. The conflict erupted on June 13 when Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, including key sites at Natanz and Fordow, and targeted senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. The operation, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a necessary response to Iran’s “existential threat,” prompted Iran to retaliate with over 400 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones targeting Israeli cities, resulting in 24 deaths and more than 500 injuries. On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media a “complete and total ceasefire” brokered by the U.S. and Qatar. However, a report from Axios, citing U.S. and Israeli officials, revealed that the ceasefire was not slated to begin until 7 a.m. Israel time on Tuesday, creating confusion about the timing. Israel halted its airstrikes on Iran early Tuesday morning, but no official statement from Israeli leaders confirmed agreement to the ceasefire terms or its start time. Some reports suggest Israel’s cabinet was still debating the deal, adding to the uncertainty. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had stated that Iran would cease attacks if Israel stopped first, a condition seemingly met when Israel paused its bombardment. Yet, late Monday, Iran launched at least two missile barrages targeting Israeli military and civilian areas. The IDF reported that its air defense systems, including Iron Dome and Arrow, intercepted most missiles, preventing casualties. The IDF described the barrages as “limited in scope,” possibly reflecting Iran’s diminished missile capabilities after Israel’s sustained strikes on its launch sites. The timing of Iran’s attacks raises questions about whether they occurred before the ceasefire’s official start, as reported by Axios. If accurate, the 7 a.m. start time suggests Iran’s actions may not technically violate the agreement, though they undermine its spirit. Iranian state media claimed the strikes were a response to Israel’s “ongoing aggression,” without specifying post-ceasefire provocations. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who reportedly sheltered in a bunker during Israel’s campaign, has not commented on the latest attacks. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)