Iran and Israel have paused their tit-for-tat attacks that risked unraveling the fragile ceasefire in effect since April 8, but tensions remain high. Tehran warned that conflict could resume if Israel continues attacks, including those targeting Lebanon.
According to Axios, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to 'be careful' because continuous airstrikes risk undermining the ceasefire. Speaking on Monday, Trump said he cautioned Netanyahu that if airstrikes on Iran continue, the Israeli leader may 'soon be on his own.'
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf argued that Israel's persistent violations show no 'real will to build trust.' He warned the ceasefire remains fragile and could collapse.
In Iran
Israel said it targeted the Mahshahr petrochemical complex in the southwest on Monday, one of Iran's most important industrial hubs. Iranian media reported no casualties, while authorities continue to assess damage and potential economic losses.
War Diplomacy
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter stated that talks between Washington and Tehran 'have nothing to do with Lebanon,' accusing Iran of trying to link the two issues. Speaking to Fox News, Leiter said Israel's campaigns against Hezbollah are separate from U.S.-Iran negotiations and warned that 'Lebanon has no future if it remains tied to Iran.'
Analysts suggest the decision to launch new airstrikes on Iran despite Trump's calls for restraint is intended to signal to the U.S. that no long-term deal with Tehran can ignore Israel's interests. Military historian Danny Orbach said the airstrikes are a message to Washington that Israel retains the ability to disrupt negotiations if it believes its security concerns are being sidelined.
In the U.S.
Phyllis Bennis of the Institute for Policy Studies argued that Trump's warning to Israel would carry more weight if backed by concrete actions. She contended that continued U.S. military aid, diplomatic support, and arms transfers weaken the message, giving Netanyahu no reason to take these comments as a meaningful shift in U.S. policy.
In Lebanon
Hezbollah said it conducted 16 operations against Israeli forces on Monday, targeting troop concentrations, military vehicles, and equipment across southern Lebanon. The group said it used drones, guided missiles, artillery, and self-propelled munitions in attacks near Beaufort Castle, Odaisseh, and Yohmor al-Shaqif, claiming to have destroyed ammunition carriers and military bulldozers.
