West Asia war LIVE: Israel, Iran must immediately stop 'shooting', says Trump

Israel and Iran engaged in a major missile exchange on June 8, 2026, marking the most severe escalation since a ceasefire was established on April 8. Israeli authorities reported three waves of Iranian missiles targeting the country, with explosions heard in central Israel as air defenses intercepted the attacks. The Iranian retaliation came after Israel launched strikes on central and western Iran earlier the same day, in response to earlier missile fire from Tehran. The Israeli actions followed a strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs on June 7, which Tehran had warned would provoke retaliation. The latest escalation risks unraveling the fragile ceasefire, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels also launching a missile at Israel and threatening to disrupt Red Sea shipping. The conflict appears to defy U.S. efforts to de-escalate tensions, as President Donald Trump had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to respond further. Reports suggest the U.S. and Iran had agreed on a 60-day ceasefire extension, but Trump’s approval remains pending. The situation raises fears of a broader regional war, with the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea shipping routes at risk of further disruptions. The escalation follows weeks of indirect negotiations aimed at stabilizing the conflict, but recent strikes indicate a breakdown in restraint.