Iran, Israel halt airstrikes after fresh firefight, but both warn attacks could resume in fragile truce | Today’s news
Iran and Israel signaled a pause in their latest round of hostilities on Monday (June 8), with both sides announcing they had halted attacks against each other while warning that military operations could quickly resume if there were new provocations.
The exchange marked the first direct confrontation between the two countries since a US-brokered ceasefire took effect in April, sparking fears the Middle East could slide back into a wider conflict.
Iran’s military has announced that its first wave of attacks on Israel since the cease-fire has ended. However, Tehran warned that any further Israeli strikes, particularly in Lebanon, would provoke a stronger response.
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A recent pause in hostilities was announced by both Iran and Israel following a series of missile exchanges, with both sides signaling a temporary halt to military operations amid fears of renewed conflict.
Iran has warned it will resume attacks if Israel continues military operations, particularly those targeting Lebanon, indicating a readiness to respond to perceived aggression.
US President Donald Trump has called on both Iran and Israel to end hostilities and reportedly asked Israel to halt strikes on Iran, reflecting America’s role in brokering the ceasefire.
The escalation raises concerns about broader regional stability as Iran-backed groups such as the Houthis have threatened to target Israeli interests, potentially drawing other nations into the conflict.
Yes, the fragile ceasefire is cause for concern, as renewed hostilities could destabilize the region, disrupt global oil supplies and complicate ongoing diplomatic peace efforts.
According to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, the armed forces declared an end to military operations against Israel, but warned that attacks could resume if Israel continues to attack Lebanon.
The Joint Military Command said that if Israel or its supporters carry out further “aggressions and hostile acts”, including in southern Lebanon, then “much stricter and more crushing measures than before will follow”.
Israel also appeared to back off from further escalation. Channel 12 television, citing a senior Israeli official, said that Israel had stopped striking Iran at the request of US President Donald Trump.
The official said Israel would nevertheless continue operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and warned that if attacks on Israeli cities continued, Israel would attack the southern suburbs of Beirut.
The latest flare-up began after Iran fired rockets into Israel late Sunday in what Tehran said was retaliation for Israeli attacks on the Beirut suburbs. Israel responded with attacks on Iranian targets that threatened to unravel months of fragile diplomacy.
Trump is pushing for a truce
Amid the escalation, Trump said the two countries were seeking an immediate end to the fighting and that talks aimed at securing a broader peace deal were continuing.
“Both sides, Israel and Iran, are seeking an immediate ceasefire!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“The final negotiations for ‘Peace’ continue, subject to ignorance or stupidity standing in their way.”
Trump added that US restrictions on Iran will remain in place until a comprehensive deal is reached.
“The blockade will remain in place, in full force and effect, until a ‘final deal’ is reached. Things should move quickly,” he said.
Regional concerns are growing
The renewed violence has raised concerns across the Middle East, particularly as Iranian-backed groups become increasingly involved.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels fired on Israel on Monday and warned they would attack vessels linked to Israel in the Red Sea. Meanwhile, Israel continues military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon despite the April ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
Officials from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and Qatar reportedly urged the Trump administration to pressure Israel to limit strikes on Iran and Beirut, while calling on Tehran to halt attacks on Israel.
Fragile truce under pressure
The April truce ended weeks of fighting that began after coordinated US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. However, diplomats tried to turn the truce into a permanent agreement.
During the ceasefire period, tensions remained high. Iran maintained pressure around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas supplies, while Israel continued military operations against Hezbollah.
The latest firefight rattled energy markets, with oil prices up about 4% on fears that renewed conflict could disrupt regional supplies and derail ongoing peace efforts.
The fighting also underscored growing differences between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Although the two leaders initially coordinated closely during the conflict, reports indicate that tensions have emerged over Israel’s continued military operations and Washington’s pursuit of a negotiated settlement.
Read also | US-Israel-Iran War: Trump Says Tel Aviv, Tehran Will Halt Offensive | Main Updates
