DUBAI, June 8: Israel and Iran exchanged missile and air strikes on Monday in their first direct confrontation since a US-brokered ceasefire was reached two months ago, raising fears that the Middle East could slide back into a full-scale war.
Hours after the attacks, Iran’s military announced it was halting offensive operations but warned of a much stronger response if Israel or its allies carried out further aggression.
According to a regional official, the United States informed Iran that Israel would stop its attacks if Tehran ceased launching missiles.
The official said Israel had agreed to halt strikes for the time being, though neither the White House nor Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office immediately commented on the claim.
The conflict, which began when the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28, has shaken global markets, driven up energy prices and increased the cost of basic goods worldwide.
Efforts to convert the April ceasefire into a permanent peace agreement have largely stalled.
During the truce, Iran maintained pressure on the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, while Israel continued military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
On Monday, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels also entered the fray, firing at Israel and threatening Israel-linked shipping in the Red Sea.
Diplomatic efforts intensified as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and Qatar urged the Trump administration to pressure Israel to curb its attacks while encouraging Iran to stop retaliatory strikes.
President Donald Trump publicly called on both sides to cease hostilities immediately and said discussions aimed at preserving the ceasefire were ongoing.
Iran launched multiple waves of attacks on Israel, while Israel carried out strikes on targets in central and western Iran, including a petrochemical facility that Israeli officials said was linked to ballistic missile production.
Iran reported explosions in Tehran and other cities and temporarily closed airspace around its main international airport.
Israel said its strikes were a response to Iranian missile launches, while Tehran blamed Washington for enabling Israeli actions.
The renewed violence has also exposed growing tensions between Trump and Netanyahu.
Although the two leaders closely coordinated the initial military campaign, recent disagreements have become more visible, with Trump reportedly frustrated by Israeli actions that risk prolonging the conflict.
Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on Israel and warned that Israel-affiliated vessels would once again be targeted in the Red Sea, threatening one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
As civilians in both Iran and Israel prepared for the possibility of further escalation, concerns mounted that the fragile ceasefire could collapse entirely, reigniting a wider regional war. (AP)
