Iran and Israel said on Monday they had paused attacks on each other after an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, easing fears of a wider regional escalation.
The latest confrontation began after Iran launched missiles towards Israel late on Sunday, describing the strikes as retaliation for Israeli attacks on Hezbollah positions near Beirut. Israel responded by targeting Iranian air defence systems and a petrochemical facility it claimed was linked to missile production.
No deaths were reported on either side.
A source familiar with the matter said Israel had decided to halt further attacks, while Iran’s military announced that its initial wave of strikes had concluded.
Trump Pushes For Peace
Trump said both countries wanted an immediate ceasefire and expressed confidence that negotiations aimed at ending the conflict could still succeed.
The U.S. president also revealed he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning him against reigniting the conflict.
According to reports, Trump told Netanyahu that further escalation could leave Israel isolated if diplomatic efforts collapsed.
Warning From Tehran
Despite the pause, Iran warned that hostilities could resume if Israel continues military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iranian officials said any action against Tehran’s regional allies would trigger a strong response, while a military source indicated Iran remained prepared for a prolonged conflict if necessary.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi Movement said it would continue targeting Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea and claimed responsibility for missile launches towards Israel.
Regional Stakes Remain High
The conflict continues to threaten global energy markets, with oil prices briefly surging more than 5% amid fears of disruption to Middle East supplies.
The situation also risks derailing U.S.-Iran negotiations aimed at ending a war that has destabilised the region for months.
While flights resumed at Tehran’s airport and some signs of normality returned, diplomats and the United Nations urged all sides to exercise restraint.
(with inputs from Reuters)
