Iran Announces Halt to Offensive Against Israel, Warns of Resumption if Lebanon Attacked Again

(Central News Agency, Dubai/Jerusalem, 8th Combined Foreign News) Iran's military announced today that it has halted its first wave of attacks against Israel since a ceasefire in April, but warned that Tehran would resume strikes if Israel attacks Lebanon again. Israel has not yet responded to Iran's latest statement.

According to Reuters, Tehran launched missiles at Israel late last night, calling it retaliation for an earlier Israeli attack on the outskirts of the Lebanese capital Beirut; Israel subsequently launched attacks on Iran.

US President Donald Trump earlier today called on Israel and Iran to "cease fire immediately."

The exchange of fire between the two countries pushed global oil prices up about 4% and threatens US-led mediation efforts to end the war.

Israel struck a petrochemical plant in southwestern Iran, claiming the facility was used to produce ballistic missiles. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had launched a retaliatory attack on a similar facility in the Israeli city of Haifa.

This is the first direct exchange of fire between Iran and Israel since April and could impact Trump's efforts to end the US-Iran war.

Iran's military announced it had delivered a "severe response" to Israel for its attack on Lebanon, including the Israeli strike on the Beirut suburbs the previous day.

"Therefore, the actions of the armed forces are hereby declared halted; however, if aggressive and destructive acts continue, including attacks on southern Lebanon, Iran will take more intense and devastating action than before."

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that Tehran is exchanging information with Washington in an atmosphere of "extreme distrust," and that Israel's military actions against Lebanon, regardless of US knowledge or consent, are aimed at undermining diplomatic consultations. (Editor: Hong Peiying) 1150608