President Donald Trump sharply criticized both Israel and Iran for violating a ceasefire he had brokered, just hours after its announcement, casting doubt on the prospects for lasting peace following 12 days of conflict.
In an expletive-filled rant, the president condemned Israel for launching fighter jets into Iran after Tehran fired a missile at a Tel Aviv apartment complex, killing four Israelis. Trump made these remarks shortly after declaring that a phased-in ceasefire was in effect.
“You know, when I say okay, now you have 12 hours, you don’t go out in the first hour, just drop everything you have on them,” Trump told reporters outside the White House Tuesday morning. “So I’m not happy with them. I’m not happy with Iran either. But I’m really unhappy if Israel is going out this morning because the one rocket that didn’t land, that was shot, perhaps by mistake, that didn’t land, I’m not happy about that.”
“We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard, that they don’t know what the f**k they are doing,” Trump added. “I’m gonna see if I can stop it.”
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President Trump on Israel and Iran: “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the fuck they’re doing.” pic.twitter.com/xrztmebALZ
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 24, 2025
Trump was poised to arrive confidently in The Hague on Tuesday, where NATO ambassadors convened to discuss prospects for peace in the Middle East. He received bipartisan praise for the strikes on Iran, particularly following Iran’s restrained retaliation, which included providing the U.S. with advance notice of its plan to target a military base in Qatar.
“Heading to NATO where, at worst, it will be a much calmer period than what I just went through with Israel and Iran. I look forward to seeing all of my very good European friends, and others. Hopefully, much will be accomplished!” Trump wrote shortly after boarding Marine One. “I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done,” he added.
Shortly after his remarks, Trump launched a second critique of Israel for scrambling jets to carry out another attack on Iran. “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!” Trump wrote. “ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly ‘Plane Wave’ to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect!”
A ceasefire agreement was reached late Monday after Iran, via a Qatari intermediary, agreed to halt further attacks provided Israel reciprocated. What many feared could ignite a new war in the region seemed poised for a swift resolution.
