Iran casts doubt on Israel’s commitment to ceasefire, warns of forceful response

Tehran: Iran's armed forces chief of staff, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, on Sunday expressed scepticism over Israel’s willingness to honour the ceasefire that ended their 12-day conflict earlier this month.

“We did not start the war, but we responded to the aggressor with all our power,” Mousavi said on state television. “We have serious doubts about the enemy’s commitment to the ceasefire and other obligations. If attacked again, we are fully prepared to respond with force.”

His remarks came barely days after a ceasefire was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. Israel attacked Iran on June 13 in a bid to destroy the country's nuclear program.

Over 12 days before a ceasefire was declared, Israel claimed it killed around 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists, while hitting eight nuclear-related facilities and more than 720 military infrastructure sites. More than 1,000 people were killed, including at least 417 civilians, according to the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group.

In retaliation, Iran fired more than 550 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted, but those that got through caused damage in many areas and killed 28 people.