Iran, Israel say hostilities on hold after first attacks since truce

Iran and Israel declared an end to hostilities on June 8 after a round of missile strikes that risked reigniting broader conflict in the Middle East. Tehran launched nearly 30 missiles at Israel overnight, targeting military sites, while Israel retaliated against Iranian military locations. Both sides reported no casualties, though violence persisted in Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes killed 12 civilians in Tyre and Nabatieh. The ceasefire followed weeks of tensions, with Iran warning that Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon would force its involvement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that hostilities were ‘contained,’ while Iran’s military announced it had halted operations. Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense, dismissing U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls for restraint, though Trump had urged both sides to avoid further escalation. In Lebanon, Israeli strikes continued despite the broader truce, with the military confirming it intercepted projectiles near southern Lebanon. The conflict has disrupted Gulf oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and heightened regional instability. Meanwhile, residents in Tehran and Tel Aviv reported unease, with some evacuating shelters amid fears of renewed fighting. Global oil prices surged over 5% in early trading before stabilizing, reflecting concerns about renewed conflict. Iranian civilians described uncertainty, while Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz insisted the campaign against Hezbollah would continue, targeting Beirut’s southern suburbs. The fragile truce remains dependent on both sides’ willingness to avoid further provocation.