Iranian state media reported on Thursday, April 23 that unusual developments were observed in Tehran amid the U.S.–Iran ceasefire. Air defense systems were reportedly activated in parts of the capital following alleged hostile aerial activity. This marks the first such report since the ceasefire began.
The Iranian Students’ News Agency (IRNA) said sounds of air defense fire were heard in western Tehran. Mehr News Agency reported that air defense systems were activated across several areas of the capital in response to “hostile targets,” though no further details were provided.
Nour News also stated that air defense systems were activated in parts of Tehran but reported no confirmed incidents.
Following the reports, global oil markets reacted quickly. Reuters reported that U.S. crude oil futures rose by more than $5 per barrel.
At the same time, Israel issued a strong warning.
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According to the Times of Israel, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that the Israeli military has completed its defensive and offensive deployments and is ready to resume war against Iran.
In a video statement, Katz said: “We are waiting for the green light from the United States. The top priority is to completely eliminate the Khamenei regime (which is the initiator of Israel’s annihilation plan), as well as the leadership of Iran’s terrorist regime successors. In addition, Israel will strike Iran’s main energy and electricity facilities and destroy its national economic infrastructure, pushing Iran back into darkness and the Stone Age.”
U.S. President Donald Trump had previously also warned that Iran could be “sent back to the Stone Age.”
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On Feb. 28 this year, the United States and Israel carried out airstrikes on Tehran, resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. His son Mojtaba Khamenei was subsequently appointed to succeed him.
On April 7, the United States and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire agreement, with Israel simultaneously pausing military operations against Iran. Just hours before the ceasefire was set to expire, on April 21, Trump announced an extension, though he did not specify for how long.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House on Wednesday that there is currently a split inside Iran between pragmatic and hardline factions in the Iranian government. She said Trump hopes Iran will reach a unified position, and in the meantime, U.S. forces will pause related military operations and kinetic strikes.
Leavitt also emphasized that the president has not set a firm deadline, and that the ceasefire timeline will be ultimately determined by him.
