TEL AVIV, Israel, June 8 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel has halted its military strikes against Iran, signaling a pause in hostilities after a day of direct confrontation that saw missile attacks, retaliatory airstrikes, and heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.
While stopping short of announcing a formal ceasefire, Netanyahu said Israel’s military operation concluded after Iran halted its missile attacks on Israeli territory.
In his first public remarks since the exchange of fire, Netanyahu warned that Israel would respond decisively if Iran launched any future attacks.
“At the moment, the fire has ceased, because after we struck the terror regime in Tehran, it stopped attacking us. If the terror regime in Iran makes the mistake of attacking us again, we will respond with force,” Netanyahu said.
The Israeli leader also rejected what he described as Iran’s effort to establish a new strategic framework linking Israeli military operations in Lebanon to retaliatory attacks against Israel.
“They thought they could fire at Israel from Lebanese and Iranian territory, and that we would not respond. That did not happen, and it will not happen. Not on my watch,” Netanyahu said.
According to Netanyahu, Iran and its ally Hezbollah sought to create a “new equation” in which Israeli actions in Lebanon would automatically trigger retaliation from Iran.
His comments came hours after Iran announced it was suspending military operations against Israel while warning that the pause remained conditional.
According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, the Iranian military said its recent attacks were conducted in support of Lebanon and in response to Israeli military operations.
“The powerful Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in support of the oppressed people of Lebanon, delivered a painful response to this regime,” the statement said.
Iran also warned that it was prepared to resume military action if Israeli operations continued, particularly in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces remain active against Hezbollah positions.
“Should the aggressions and hostile acts continue, including in southern Lebanon, far more severe and crushing measures than before will be forthcoming,” the statement added.
Earlier Monday, CNN reported that Israel had agreed to a request from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to halt strikes on Iran. However, according to Israeli sources cited by the network, Israel intends to continue military operations in southern Lebanon.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran remains committed to both defending its national interests and pursuing diplomacy, emphasizing that military preparedness and negotiations are complementary elements of national strategy.
“Diplomacy and defense are the two wings of national power; we have neither abandoned the field nor the negotiating table,” Pezeshkian wrote in a post on X.
Meanwhile, Trump said both Israel and Iran appear willing to pursue an immediate ceasefire following the recent escalation.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said negotiations aimed at securing a broader peace agreement in the region were continuing.
“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,” Trump wrote.
Trump also indicated that U.S. measures restricting Iran would remain in place until a broader agreement is reached.
“The blockade will remain in place, and in full force and effect, until a final deal is reached. Things should move quickly,” he said.
Diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider regional conflict continued Monday as international leaders closely monitored developments between Israel and Iran.
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