Iran ends attacks on Israel, warns of ‘crushing’ response if Lebanon strikes continue

Iran announced on Monday that it has ended its military attacks on Israel, while warning that any continuation of Israeli strikes on Lebanon would trigger a “crushing” response. The Khaatm al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran’s military command, said in a statement carried by Tasnim news agency: “Following the aggressions and evils of the brutal Zionist regime in South Lebanon and the Dahiya region, which took place with the support of the criminal America, the powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran gave a painful response to this regime in order to support the oppressed people of Lebanon.” The military said Israel and its supporters “should have learned” lessons from Tehran’s response.

Escalation and de-escalation

Tensions escalated on Sunday when Israel bombed the Lebanese capital Beirut, despite an ongoing ceasefire. Iran retaliated by launching missiles at northern Israel, and Israel responded with several waves of airstrikes against Iran. In the wake of the exchange, Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported that Tel Aviv and Washington sent a message to Tehran stating that Israel would not launch further attacks if Iran ceased fire. Early Monday, President Trump posted on Truth Social, calling on Israel and Iran to stop fighting “immediately.” The Iranian statement said: “On this basis, the cessation of armed forces operations is announced.”