Iran and Israel has halted strikes against each other at the request of US President Donald Trump in what was the most serious escalation since a ceasefire started two months ago and threatened to plunge the Middle East back into war.
Israel has halted strikes on Iran, a senior Israeli official was cited as saying by Channel 12 on Monday, but added that if Hezbollah attacks on Israeli towns continued, Israel would attack the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Iran’s military meanwhile announced that its first wave of attacks on Israel since a ceasefire in April was now over, although it threatened to resume the strikes if Israel continued attacks on Lebanon.
Earlier Trump demanded that “Israel and Iran must immediately stop “shooting” in a post on social media.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that both Israel and Iran are looking to “do an immediate ceasefire,” and that final negotiations on “peace” are proceeding.
“Both sides, Israel and Iran, are looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE! Final negotiations on “Peace” are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way. The Blockade will remain in place, and in full force and effect, until a “Final Deal” is reached. Things should move quickly,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday said Tehran remained at the negotiating table after halting attacks on Israel following the first exchange of fire since the April truce.
“Diplomacy and defense are the two wings of national power; we have neither left the battlefield nor the negotiating table,” Pezeshkian said in a post on X, adding that Tehran “will not retreat in the face of any threat.”
Israel and Iran fired at each other on Monday while Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a missile at Israel and threatened to disrupt Red Sea shipping.
Israeli authorities said three waves of Iranian missiles targeted the country.
Explosions were heard in central Israel as Israeli air defenses sought to intercept the incoming Iranian fire.
The Iranian attack came after Israel launched strikes on central and western Iran early Monday in response to missile fire from Tehran, in the most serious crossfire since an April 8 ceasefire was reached in the Iran war.
Tehran warned of retaliation after Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday in defiance of Washington’s request days ago to stand down.
The Israeli strikes came in apparent defiance of Trump, who told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he doesn’t think Israel needs to respond further. news desk
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed concern over the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East, warning that the fragile nature of the existing ceasefire could lead to serious consequences and undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing lasting peace.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the prime minister said the latest surge in violence served as a stark reminder of the risks associated with a tenuous ceasefire and the devastating consequences that could follow if hostilities intensify.
“As we work earnestly and painstakingly, together with our brothers and partners, to find a peaceful diplomatic solution to the conflict, and especially when the final objective is just about to be achieved, we sincerely urge all sides to exercise restraint and give peace a little more chance,” he said.
Shehbaz said Pakistan, along with its regional partners, remained committed to pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and stressed the importance of avoiding actions that could derail progress toward peace.
The prime minister urged all parties to remain committed to dialogue and diplomacy, saying these offered a far more promising path than violence and destruction.
“Let us continue to remain on the path of peace and diplomacy, which have bright prospects of success, instead of violence and destruction,” he added.
Pakistan has consistently called for de-escalation and peaceful resolution of conflicts in the Middle East, emphasizing dialogue, regional stability and adherence to international law.