Iran and Israel said they had halted attacks on each other on Monday after an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, temporarily easing the most direct confrontation between the two countries in months.
The pause came after Iran launched missile attacks toward Israel, which Tehran said were retaliation for Israeli strikes targeting the Iran-backed Hezbollah group near Beirut. Israel then carried out strikes on Iranian air defense systems and a petrochemical plant that it said was linked to ballistic missile production.
A machine operates near a residential building, which was damaged in a U.S. and Israeli strike in March, in Tehran, Iran June 7, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it responded with an attack aimed at a similar Israeli facility in Haifa.
No deaths were reported by authorities on either side following the latest exchanges.
Trump pushes for wider agreement
Trump said both Iran and Israel wanted an immediate ceasefire and said negotiations aimed at ending the wider conflict were continuing.
“Final negotiations on ‘Peace’ are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way,” Trump wrote on social media.
The U.S. president said he viewed the conflict as a success because Iran’s military had been defeated, but added that Washington was still working toward a deal.
Iran and the United States have been discussing a possible agreement, with Trump saying any settlement must ensure Tehran cannot develop a nuclear weapon. Iran has sought the lifting of international sanctions, the release of frozen assets and recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Tensions remain despite pause
While both sides said strikes had stopped, officials warned the situation remained fragile.
An Israeli military official said Israel was prepared to continue operations “for as long as it takes”, while an Iranian military source said Tehran was ready for a prolonged conflict and could resume attacks against U.S. interests in the region.
SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Palestinian father Youssef Salman mourns next to the body of his eight-year-old Jad, who was killed in an Israeli strike on the Jabalia refugee camp, according to medics, at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, June 8, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was exchanging messages with Washington but described the atmosphere as one of “extreme suspicion.”
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all sides to show restraint and avoid actions that could further escalate the situation.
Lebanon and Hormuz remain key flashpoints
The halt in Iran-Israel strikes did not end wider regional tensions. Israel has continued its campaign in Lebanon, saying it is separate from any U.S.-Iran ceasefire efforts, while Hezbollah has also continued attacks.
Tehran has said any peace deal with Washington depends partly on an end to fighting in Lebanon.
The Strait of Hormuz also remains a major concern. Iran has continued blocking most shipping through the strategic waterway, which previously carried a fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
U.S. helicopter incident near Hormuz
Separately, Trump said two U.S. Army Apache helicopter pilots were safe after their aircraft went down near the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said there were no injuries and that further details would be released later. It was not immediately clear whether the helicopter incident was caused by Iranian fire, mechanical failure or another issue as reported in Reuters.
