In an unexpected escalation of tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly used strong language following the breakdown of a ceasefire he had brokered between Israel and Iran. The announcement of a truce, intended to halt hostilities that erupted on June 13 when Israeli forces targeted Iranian nuclear sites, quickly unraveled as Iran launched missile strikes, triggering alarms across Tel Aviv.
“They don’t know what the f@*k they’re doing,” Trump snapped, visibly agitated, as he addressed reporters. While the former president is no stranger to controversial outbursts, this may be one of the rare moments in American history when a sitting US president has explicitly used the F-word in public.
Earlier, Trump had triumphantly declared a “complete and total ceasefire” between the two warring nations — an announcement that now seems to have unravelled in real time.
The Israel-Iran conflict reignited on June 13, when Israeli fighter jets struck Iranian nuclear facilities. Despite Trump’s ceasefire proclamation, Iran retaliated just hours later, firing a fresh volley of missiles. Sirens wailed across Tel Aviv as Israeli defence systems sprang into action.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz responded swiftly. “I have directed Israel's armed forces to respond forcefully,” he said, accusing Iran of violating the truce.
When questioned by media about the sudden collapse of the ceasefire he had announced, Trump did not hold back.
“There was one rocket that I guess was fired overboard after the time limit and now Israel is going out,” Trump said, appearing both agitated and exasperated. “These guys [have] got to calm down.”
He continued, “I didn’t like plenty of things I saw yesterday. I didn’t like the fact that Israel unloaded right after we made the deal. They didn’t have to unload.”
Referring to both nations, Trump added: “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f@*k they’re doing.”
Despite the President’s declaration of peace, Iran initially issued a firm denial, stating no such agreement had been reached. However, a follow-up statement from Tehran acknowledged a temporary halt in fighting from its side.
The so-called “12-Day War” had reached a turning point on June 21, when the US — acting on Trump’s orders — joined Israeli forces in striking three key Iranian nuclear facilities, dramatically escalating tensions in the region.