Tel Aviv/Tehran, June 8, (dpa/GNA) – On Monday, Iran and Israel announced that they will temporarily cease hostilities following intense strikes between them, marking the first such exchanges since a truce was established in April.
On Monday afternoon, Iran's armed forces announced an end to their strikes against Israel, just under 24 hours after launching its initial missiles in two months toward the country. In a declaration aired via state-run radio, the defense authorities stated that the Islamic Republic had provided a "severe retaliation" for Israel, in solidarity with Lebanon, and confirmed the halt of its combat activities.
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, subsequently verified the pause in hostilities, which had earlier been disclosed by Israeli news outlets. In a recorded statement, he cautioned that Israel would retaliate decisively if Iran were to commit an error and launch another assault. "Israel possesses the complete right to defend itself, and we are doing so as required," Netanyahu stated.
U.S. President Donald Trump, through a message on his Truth Social platform, stated that both parties "are seeking an immediate ceasefire! Final discussions regarding 'peace' are underway." He mentioned that the U.S. embargo on the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a critical route for international oil shipments, "will continue to be enforced fully until a 'final agreement' is made. Matters should progress swiftly."
Trump frequently claimed that a resolution to the conflict was near, yet it kept ongoing.
After the Iranian strikes on Sunday night targeting Israel, the Israeli defense forces conducted what they described as a "major operation" against Iran. Hundreds of Israeli aircraft focused on "key defensive infrastructure" associated with Iran's leaders. Additionally, an industrial complex involved in petrochemical production in southwestern Iran was reportedly struck, according to reports.
According to the Iranian Tasnim news outlet, at least 15 individuals sustained injuries during the assaults, as per information from the nation's emergency responders. In retaliation, Iran launched multiple rounds of strikes, causing air raid alarms to be activated across various regions in northern, southern, and central Israel.
According to Israeli defense officials, Iran launched over 20 ballistic missiles toward Israel starting from Sunday night. Iran defended its first assaults on Sunday evening by referencing "persistent breaches" of the individually negotiated yet currently very tenuous truce in Lebanon committed by the Israeli forces. More specifically, Iran stated that it was reacting to Israeli bombings targeting neighborhoods in the outskirts of Beirut, the Lebanese capital.
On Sunday, Israel stated that it had struck "terrorist headquarters" as a reaction to artillery fire from Hezbollah. This Shia group serves as Iran's key non-state partner. Israel and Lebanon reached an agreement last Thursday for another effort to enforce a truce. A requirement was that Hezbollah fully cease its assaults against Israel.
The militia did not take part in the negotiations, categorically turned down the deal, and kept carrying out assaults against Israel. The Lebanese government is not involved in the dispute and holds minimal control over Hezbollah.
The duration of the ceasefire remains uncertain, as both parties exchanged warnings. According to Israeli media, quoting an unidentified high-ranking government official from Israel, although military actions against Iran have been paused, strikes in Lebanon will proceed "with full intensity." If the Lebanese Hezbollah group launches another attack on northern Israel, the outskirts of the capital city Beirut could face renewed bombardment, according to reports from the website ynet.
Israeli media outlet Kan stated that Israel will stop attacking Iran, though it won't cease operations in southern Lebanon. At first, there was no formal verification, but an Israeli insider involved in the issue confirmed the information to dpa.
The Iranian military command center, Khatam al-Anbiya, previously cautioned that if the fighting continued, particularly with Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, "stronger and more destructive actions" would follow. This statement was soon accompanied by fresh Israeli assaults on southern Lebanon, prompting Hezbollah to launch rocket fire against Israeli troops located there.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, however, pledged that any strikes by Hezbollah against northern Israel would result in a retaliatory attack on the outskirts of Beirut. In his video statement, Netanyahu also cautioned that Israel's confrontation with Iran and Hezbollah remains unresolved, as military officials indicated that Israel's armed forces have been prepared for a potential clash with Iran that could last multiple days.
At first, circumstances appeared more peaceful, as Iran removed limitations on air travel following the closure of its whole airspace during the afternoon. "Since the essential security requirements have been fulfilled and appropriate discussions with the pertinent officials have occurred, the flying restrictions have now been revoked," stated Abusar Shirudi, director of the Civil Aviation Authority, according to the Tasnim news agency on Monday.
Besides the delicate truce between Israel and Lebanon, a cessation of hostilities between the United States and Iran has been active since April 8, signed over a month following the start of the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran on February 28. Trump aims to reach a deal with Iran to bring the conflict to a permanent conclusion.
Recent advancements, nonetheless, pose a significant challenge to the negotiations. Trump has thus far minimized the implications and stated that Netanyahu would also need to agree to a deal. "I make all the decisions. He isn't in charge," remarked the U.S. president during a telephone conversation with the Financial Times, speaking about the Israeli leader.
GNA