TEHRAN, Iran: Iran announced on Monday that it was suspending military operations against Israel, while Israeli media reported that Israel had halted strikes on Iran at the request of US President Donald Trump after the US President said both sides were “looking to do an immediate ceasefire”.
The development came after Iran and Israel exchanged fresh attacks on Monday that threatened the ceasefire reached on April 8.
The announcement came as US President Donald Trump said both countries were seeking an immediate ceasefire and moving towards a broader peace agreement. Israeli media reported that Israel had agreed to halt attacks on Iran at Washington’s request.
Trump demanded Iran and Israel “immediately stop shooting.” He also said they were “looking to do an immediate ceasefire,” and that “final negotiations on ‘peace’ are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way.”
Israel’s Channel 12, citing a senior Israeli official, reported that Israel has halted strikes on Iran at Trump’s request.
The unnamed official added that if Hezbollah attacks on Israeli towns continue, Israel will attack the southern suburbs of Beirut.
The news report could not be independently verified; however, other media outlets reported that Israel will stop attacks on Iran after Prime Minister Netanyahu was called by the US President.
Iran announces halt to operations
Iran’s top military command, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said in a statement that “the cessation of armed forces operations is hereby announced”.
The statement, carried by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, said Iran had delivered a “painful response” to Israel following recent developments in Lebanon.
“Iran delivered a painful response to the regime in support of the oppressed people of Lebanon,” the headquarters said.
However, Iranian military commanders warned that any further attacks would trigger a stronger response.
“If aggressions and hostile actions continue, including in southern Lebanon, far more severe and crushing measures than before will follow,” the statement said.
Trump says US-Iran negotiations underway
President Donald Trump said diplomatic efforts were advancing and that both sides were seeking an immediate halt to hostilities.
“Both sides, Israel and Iran, are looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“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,” he added.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 8, 2026
Trump earlier told NBC News that Washington and Tehran were “very close” to an agreement aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli media reports pause in strikes
Israel’s Channel 12 television reported, citing a senior Israeli official, that Israel would stop attacks on Iran at Trump’s request.
The official, whose name was not disclosed, reportedly said Israel would nevertheless continue military operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah attacks on Israeli territory persisted.
Several Israeli and US media outlets also reported that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a telephone conversation earlier on Monday, although neither government released details of the discussion.
According to the reports, Israel agreed to halt strikes on Iran following the call.
Pezeshkian says Iran open to diplomacy
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran remained committed both to defending its interests and pursuing diplomacy.
“Our priority is national security and the peace of our people. We will firmly defend the rights of the nation and will not back down in the face of any threat,” Pezeshkian wrote on X.
“Diplomacy and defence are the two pillars of national power; we have abandoned neither the battlefield nor the negotiating table,” he added.
The latest escalation began after Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday, targeting Hezbollah facilities in the Dahiyeh district.
According to Lebanon’s health ministry, the strike killed at least two people and wounded 20 others, including women and children.
Hours later, Iran launched missiles towards Israel, describing the action as retaliation for the Beirut attack.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the missile barrage served as a warning against further Israeli military action and threatened broader retaliation if attacks continued.
The exchange marked the most serious confrontation between Israel and Iran since an April 8 ceasefire halted months of direct hostilities between the regional adversaries.
Israel strikes targets Iran
Following the Iranian missile launches, Israel carried out air strikes against multiple targets inside Iran.
The Israeli military said its air force struck military facilities in western and central Iran before later targeting sites associated with the Mahshahr petrochemical complex in the southwestern province of Khuzestan.
“A short while ago, the Israeli Air Force struck military targets belonging to the Iranian regime in western and central Iran,” the military said in a statement.
Iranian state television reported explosions in Tehran, Tabriz and Isfahan but did not immediately provide details on casualties or damage.
“Several explosions were heard in Tehran, Tabriz and Isfahan,” state media reported.
Israel also said its air defence systems intercepted multiple missile salvos launched overnight.
No casualties were immediately reported in either Israel or Iran.
