Israel and Iran have agreed to temporarily halt further strikes after an exchange of attacks sparked renewed fears of a wider Middle East conflict.
Tensions escalated after Iran launched missiles towards Israeli territory late on Sunday, which Tehran said was retaliation for Israeli strikes on Hezbollah strongholds on the outskirts of Beirut. Israel later carried out retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets.
The latest exchange marked the first direct confrontation between the two countries since an uneasy ceasefire in April paused five weeks of fighting.
US President Donald Trump said both sides were seeking an immediate ceasefire and expressed optimism that negotiations could prevent further escalation.
“Final negotiations on ‘Peace’ are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would cease strikes on Iran for now, declaring that “the fire on that front is contained.”
However, Netanyahu warned Israel would respond forcefully to any future attacks.
“Should Iran make the mistake of resuming attacks against us, we will respond with full force,” he said in a televised address.
Despite the pause in direct strikes between Israel and Iran, Israeli officials vowed military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon would continue. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Beirut’s southern suburbs would face retaliation for attacks on northern Israel.
Iran, meanwhile, warned that any continued aggression — particularly in southern Lebanon — could trigger “much more severe and crushing measures”.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged Israel to pursue dialogue rather than military escalation, saying lasting security could not be achieved through war.
“We are ready, we are willing, we are committed. Are you? If you are, let’s sit and talk,” he said in an interview with CNN.
Meanwhile, schools in Israel are expected to reopen after closures caused by missile attacks, while Iran and Iraq have reopened their airspace following temporary shutdowns during the escalation.
Source: ABC News
