Ceasefire Fails as Iran Strikes Israel Again; Fears Grow Over Tehran’s Advancing Nuclear Program

Just hours after a ceasefire was brokered between Iran and Israel following 12 days of intense cross-border attacks, tensions have erupted again. According to Israeli forces, missile attacks from Iran have continued, with sirens wailing in several Israeli cities and smoke rising from impact zones. Israel has called this a clear violation of the ceasefire, which was agreed upon through backchannel diplomacy involving Qatar, the U.S., and Russia.The situation unfolded after U.S. President Donald Trump, who played a central mediating role, confirmed that Iran and Israel had agreed to a truce. Trump later told American media he hopes the ceasefire becomes permanent, calling it a major breakthrough for peace in the Middle East. However, with fresh missile fire from Iran reported post-ceasefire, the region remains on edge. Observers believe Iran used the ceasefire window strategically, possibly to launch last-minute retaliatory strikes as a face-saving measure for domestic audiences. Experts say Iran has now secured what it can present as an “honourable exit,” having retaliated both against Israel and the U.S. for strikes on its nuclear facilities.The bigger concern now shifts to Iran’s nuclear program. According to the IAEA, Iran has enriched uranium to 60% purity, far beyond the 3-5% needed for civilian energy use and edging closer to the 90% required for nuclear weapons. Analysts warn this level could enable Iran to build “dirty bombs” or even actual nuclear weapons within months.Security analysts have stressed that Israel sees a nuclear Iran as an existential threat, given Tehran’s openly hostile stance. Israel, lacking second-strike capability due to its small geographic size, is unlikely to allow Iran to reach full nuclear capability. This explains Israel's repeated covert and overt actions—whether cyber attacks, intelligence sabotage, or targeted bombings—to slow Iran’s progress.Iran's nuclear pursuit also alarms Arab nations, who fear a nuclear arms race in the already volatile Middle East. Countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt, while wary of Israel, are equally cautious of a nuclear-armed Iran. Moreover, China’s growing involvement in the region via its BRI initiative may now face pushback, as America regains influence through diplomatic leverage