Iran and Israel Pause Attacks Amid Diplomatic Push

Iran and Israel have announced a halt in their latest military exchanges, easing fears of a broader regional escalation after both sides launched attacks against each other for the first time since a ceasefire agreement reached in April.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel was suspending military operations “for the moment”, while stressing that the country’s confrontation with Iran and the Lebanese group Hezbollah remains unresolved.

Earlier, Iran’s military stated that it had concluded its operations after delivering what it described as a “painful response” to Israeli actions. Tehran warned that any future attacks by Israel, including those carried out in Lebanon, would trigger a stronger retaliation.

The latest confrontation began after Iran launched missiles toward Israel on Sunday, describing the attack as a response to an Israeli strike in Beirut. Israel retaliated overnight with air strikes targeting what it said were military facilities inside Iran.

Despite the exchange, diplomatic efforts appear to have prevented a wider escalation. US President Donald Trump revealed that he had spoken directly with Netanyahu and urged restraint. According to Israeli officials, Israel agreed to suspend further strikes following discussions with Washington.

Trump dismissed suggestions that Netanyahu had ignored American advice, saying the Israeli military operation was already underway before he intervened. He added that both countries were close to a significant diplomatic agreement and urged all parties to avoid actions that could jeopardize ongoing negotiations.

The US president also expressed optimism about progress in talks with Iran, saying discussions aimed at securing a broader peace arrangement were entering their final stages.

Military activity nevertheless continued during the early hours of Monday. Israeli authorities reported additional missile launches from Iran targeting Jerusalem and other parts of the country. In response, the Israeli military carried out a second wave of strikes against sites it said were linked to Iran’s ballistic missile program.

Iranian officials reported injuries following the attacks, including casualties in the city of Mahshahr and in the capital, Tehran.

Violence also continued in Lebanon, where the country’s health ministry said an Israeli strike on the southern city of Tyre killed five people and wounded several others. Among the injured were members of the Red Cross, according to humanitarian officials.

Hezbollah later announced that it had launched rockets at Israeli military positions in southern Lebanon, underscoring the fragile security situation despite repeated international efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire.

The current conflict traces its origins to late February, when Israel and the United States carried out strikes against Iran that resulted in the deaths of several senior officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks, while tensions quickly spread across the wider Middle East.

The fighting expanded further after Hezbollah entered the conflict in early March, launching attacks against Israel from Lebanon. Israel subsequently intensified air operations and ground offensives in southern Lebanese territory.

Although several ceasefire initiatives have been announced in recent months, hostilities have continued intermittently, with both sides accusing each other of violating agreements.

The United States has been actively involved in efforts to reduce tensions and create conditions for a broader diplomatic settlement involving Iran, Israel and regional actors. Washington has repeatedly urged restraint while seeking to prevent the conflict from escalating into a larger regional war.

As diplomatic negotiations continue, uncertainty remains over whether the current pause in fighting will hold or merely represent a temporary break in a conflict that has already claimed thousands of lives across the Middle East.