The Ceasefire Won’t Last: Why Israel and the U.S. Must Act Decisively to finish the Job in Iran.

Matthew Narh Tetteh

The ceasefire between Israel and Iran, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump on June 23, 2025, has paused the 12-day conflict that targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities. However, skepticism abounds, with voices from Israel, the U.S., and beyond warning that this truce is a fleeting illusion. The job remains unfinished, and Iran’s persistent nuclear ambitions threaten to unravel the fragile peace. Israel and the United States must act swiftly to ensure the region’s security.

Israel’s Unfinished Mission

Israel’s military campaign, launched on June 13, 2025, struck critical Iranian nuclear sites, including Isfahan, a hub for nuclear weapon production. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) achieved significant damage, but the fortified Fordow facility near Qom remains a concern. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies, dated June 29, 2025, shows partial damage to Fordow’s infrastructure, yet its core capabilities may still be salvageable. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned, “This ceasefire is a pause, not a victory. Iran’s nuclear threat persists, and we will not rest until it is eliminated” (X post, @IsraelKatz, June 24, 2025). For Israel, facing an existential threat from a regime chanting “Death to Israel,” halting operations now risks emboldening Iran.

U.S. Strikes Fell Short

The U.S. joined the fray on June 22, 2025, with Operation Midnight Hammer, deploying B-2 stealth bombers armed with Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs against Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. President Trump claimed the strikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, but evidence suggests otherwise. A CNN report on June 24, 2025, cited a leaked U.S. intelligence assessment revealing that Fordow’s centrifuges and uranium stockpiles were not fully destroyed. Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton commented, “The ceasefire is a fantasy. Fordow’s survival means Iran can rebuild. The U.S. must hit harder before Tehran recovers” (X post, @AmbJohnBolton, June 25, 2025). The gap between Trump’s rhetoric and reality risks a political and military disaster if Iran resumes enrichment.

Iran’s Race to Recover

Iran’s rapid efforts to repair Fordow signal its defiance. Satellite imagery shows excavators and personnel working at the site, with Iranian state media claiming minimal damage. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei boasted, “The Zionist and American attacks failed to break us” (IRNA, June 24, 2025). Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi admitted “serious” damage but warned, “Any further aggression will end this truce” (X post, @araghchi, June 24, 2025). Security analyst Sarah Levine noted, “Iran’s repair work at Fordow shows they’re playing for time. This ceasefire won’t hold once they’re back online” (X post, @SarahLevineSec, June 30, 2025). Iran’s missile launches on June 24, 2025, which Israel cited as a ceasefire violation, further erode trust in Tehran’s commitment.

Voices of Doubt

Skepticism about the ceasefire’s durability is widespread. Israeli commentator Yossi Cohen tweeted, “Iran’s rebuilding Fordow as we speak. This ceasefire is a mirage—Israel must strike again or face a nuclear Iran” (X post, @YossiCohenIL, June 29, 2025). In the U.S., Senator Lindsey Graham warned, “Iran’s history of deceit means this truce is temporary. We can’t let Fordow come back online” (X post, @LindseyGrahamSC, June 26, 2025). Even internationally, British MP Robert Jenrick stated, “The ceasefire is a diplomatic bandage. Iran’s nuclear program is wounded, not dead—action is needed now” (X post, @RobertJenrick, June 28, 2025). These voices reflect a consensus: Iran’s actions and the incomplete destruction of Fordow make renewed conflict likely.

The Path Forward: Finishing the Job

The ceasefire’s fragility is evident in Iran’s repair efforts and ceasefire violations. Israel must maintain pressure through targeted strikes to prevent Fordow’s revival, while the U.S. faces pressure to address the shortcomings of its initial strikes. The G7’s call for talks on July 1, 2025, is insufficient against a regime with a history of evading agreements, as seen in Iran’s preemptive evacuation of Fordow before U.S. strikes. Israeli intelligence estimates a two-year setback for Iran’s program if rebuilding is halted, but this requires decisive action.

The chorus of warnings—from Katz’s resolve to Bolton’s urgency and Levine’s analysis—underscores the need for Israel and the U.S. to act. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow to “remove the threat of annihilation” remains unfulfilled while Fordow stands. The ceasefire may hold today, but as Iran races to recover, time is running out. Israel and the U.S. must finish the job to secure a future free from the shadow of a nuclear Iran.