Israel-Iran conflict: both signal pause in strikes after renewed exchanges and US call to stop

Israel and Iran signalled on Monday that they were stepping back from more strikes. The shift came hours after the two traded fire again. It was the first such exchange since a US-backed ceasefire with Tehran two months ago. Both sides still said they would retaliate if further attacks occurred.

Representative image

The flare-up raised fears of a wider Middle East war returning. The conflict began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. It has pushed up energy prices and lifted costs for basics, including food. Officials have not turned the April ceasefire into a lasting agreement to end fighting.

Israel Iran ceasefire signals and warnings

US President Donald Trump urged an immediate stop to hostilities. Soon after, Iran’s military joint command said it was stopping offensive strikes. The statement warned of "much more severe and crushing measures than before\" if Israel and supporters acted again, including actions in southern Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested in a recorded message that the current clashes had ended. Netanyahu also issued a warning to Tehran. \"But he also warned that if Iran makes the mistake and returns to attacking us, we will respond with force.\" Netanyahu added Israel was active in Lebanon and cited self-defence.

Israel Iran ceasefire and eased restrictions

Both countries removed some emergency limits used as safety steps. The Israeli military said most schools closed on Monday would reopen. Iran’s Mizan news agency reported that civilian flights were no longer affected by airspace restrictions. These steps came while both sides kept threats of further retaliation in place.

During the truce, Iran kept tight control over the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway is key for global oil and gas. Israel continued strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon and advanced further there. The US military also kept a blockade on Iranian ports, maintaining pressure despite the ceasefire effort.

Israel Iran ceasefire hit by Tehran and Israel strikes

Iran launched waves of attacks on Israel on Monday. Israel hit targets in central and western Iran. Iranian state media said at least 15 people were wounded in Tehran and other cities. There were no immediate reports of deaths. Explosions were also heard in central Israel as defences engaged incoming fire.

Fars and Mehr reported Israeli strikes hit a petrochemical factory in Mahshahr. They did not describe the scale of damage. The Israeli military confirmed the strike on the plant. Israel said it hit sites producing missile materials and targeted truck-based launchers. Israel said these attacks followed an Iranian missile strike.

Tehran said on Sunday it would respond after Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs without warning. Iran fired after Israel’s action, and then fired again after Israel struck back. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said two Israeli military bases were targeted. Iran also pointed to Washington’s role in the escalation.

\"No one believes that the Israeli regime would take any action without coordination with the United States,\" Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told journalists in Tehran.

Israel Iran ceasefire diplomacy and regional pressure

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif voiced concern about the violence on Monday. On X, Sharif urged restraint and said parties should \"give peace a little more chance.\" Two regional officials said Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Pakistan and Qatar pressed the Trump administration to push Israel to stop strikes.

The same countries also urged Iran to halt attacks on Israel, the officials said. The officials spoke anonymously and said they lacked authorisation to brief reporters. Their comments reflected a wider regional push to keep the ceasefire from collapsing, as military actions continued across several fronts.

Israel Iran ceasefire strains Trump Netanyahu ties

Trump and Netanyahu began the war with close coordination, Israeli officials said. Monday marked 100 days since the conflict started. Their positions have since diverged, and tensions have surfaced publicly. Trump criticised Israel and told the Financial Times, \"I call all the shots.\" Netanyahu appeared to defy Trump with Sunday’s Beirut strike.

Both leaders face political pressures at home. Netanyahu faces elections this fall and demands to respond to Hezbollah attacks in northern Israel. Trump faces US congressional elections in November. Trump has sought an end to the war as it has hit the global economy and raised costs for consumers.

Israel Iran ceasefire and US tanker incident affecting Indians

US Central Command said forces fired on and disabled the Palau-flagged M/T Marivex in the Gulf of Oman. The US said the ship tried to breach the blockade. Indian officials said the crew of 24 Indian sailors were safe after a fire on the vessel. It was the seventh commercial vessel disabled since mid-April.

Israel Iran ceasefire risks widen with Houthi threat

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis claimed an attack on Israel on Monday. They said Israel-linked vessels would again be targets in the Red Sea. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree made the statement on al-Masirah. Similar threats during the Gaza war killed at least nine mariners and sank four ships. Red Sea shipping had carried about USD 1 trillion yearly.

With inputs from PTI