Iran and Israel have announced a pause in military operations against each other, following a day of missile exchanges. While both sides have agreed to halt strikes, tensions continue to build over Lebanon, where Israel says its military will continue to operate against Hezbollah.
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TRANSCRIPT
Iran and Israel have announced a pause in their military operations against each other, following a rapid escalation of hostilities on Monday.
In the latest round of strikes, Iran launched a series of missiles at northern Israel, in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs which killed at least two people.
Israel swiftly responded, striking what it said were military sites in Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since said Israel has agreed to halt fighting with Iran, but has vowed to respond with force to any future aggression.
"Right now the fire at the front is contained, because after we hit the terrorist regime in Tehran, it stopped attacking us. If the terrorist regime in Iran makes the mistake and attacks us again - we will respond forcefully. Because Israel has a full right to self-defense and we exercise it to the extent necessary... together, with God's help, we will restore security to the north.”
The Israeli Prime Minister's comments follow a statement from Iran's main military command, the Khatam l- Anbiya Central Headquarters, announcing a pause in Iran's strikes against Israel.
“The powerful Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran delivered a painful response to this regime in support of the oppressed people of Lebanon...On this basis, the cessation of the Armed Forces’ operations is hereby announced...It is emphasized that if aggressions and acts of malice continue, including in southern Lebanon, much more severe and crushing measures than before will be on the way."
Despite these threats from Iran, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz says the Israeli military will continue to operate in Lebanon, against what he describes as "the terrorist organisation Hezbollah".
Soon after Iran and Israel announced the halt in strikes against one another, Lebanon's health ministry says five people were killed in an Israeli strike near the Red Cross building in Tyre in southern Lebanon.
The Iran-backed Hezbollah meanwhile said it had targeted Israeli troops in Lebanon, but did not claim any attacks on Israeli territory.
Deputy Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, Farhan Haq is urging immediate de-escalation.
"We are alarmed by the overnight escalation, including renewed strikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut yesterday, and reported Hezbollah strikes into northern Israel. We urge all actors to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any action that could further inflame an already volatile situation. We urge all parties to fully abide by the ceasefire jointly announced by Lebanon, Israel, and the United States last week. And to avoid any steps that could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve a durable peace.”
The recent strikes between Israel and Iran mark the most direct confrontation between the two countries since a ceasefire was declared in April.
The violence threatens to further undermine Washington's efforts to reach an agreement with Tehran to end the more than three-month-old war.
The Axios US news agency is reporting President Donald Trump has urged Benjamin Netanyahu to hold its fire, quoting Trump issuing this warning to the Israeli Prime Minister: “be careful, or you will be on your own very soon."
But, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says the US is not without blame for the breakdown of diplomacy.
"What is important to us is that the responsibility of the United States as a party to the April 8 ceasefire agreement is clear. Whatever happens in our region -- whether the U.S. violates the ceasefire, attacks Iranian merchant vessels, commits aggression against the southern regions of Iran, or colludes with Israel to launch strikes on Lebanon -- the United States bears direct responsibility, and the U.S. will also bear the consequences of escalating tensions."
Posting on social media, US President Donald Trump said both sides were seeking an immediate ceasefire and expressed optimism about peace negotiations.
But, with Iran insisting a halt to the broader Middle East conflict must include a ceasefire in Lebanon, and Israel vowing to continue its operation there, tensions continue to undermine hopes for peace.
