Iran and Israel pause hostilities after overnight exchange of fire
8 reported2 unconfirmed
Iran and Israel renewed direct exchanges of fire overnight Sunday, disrupting a fragile two-month ceasefire declared by President Donald Trump. Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel after Israel expanded attacks against Hezbollah in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Israel retaliated with airstrikes in Tehran and other cities, including a petrochemical complex at Mahshahr. By Monday afternoon, Iran’s top military command announced a cessation of operations but warned of a more severe response if Israeli attacks continue. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said he would “hold fire” against Iran but warned of a powerful response if Iran resumed attacks. The exchange raised questions about the stability of Trump’s peace efforts, which he claimed were days away from a negotiated end to the war.
What’s reported
Iran and Israel exchanged direct fire overnight Sunday, disrupting a two-month ceasefire declared by President Donald Trump.
Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel after Israel expanded attacks against Hezbollah in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Israel retaliated with airstrikes in Tehran and several other cities, including Iran’s petrochemical complex at Mahshahr.
Iran’s top military command announced a cessation of operations by Monday afternoon but warned of a more severe response if Israeli attacks continue.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would “hold fire” against Iran but warned of a powerful response if Iran resumed attacks.
The Israel Defense Forces stated it would “not allow” Iran to “create a new equation” by responding directly to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
Schools in Israel were closed Monday, and hospitals entered emergency mode.
The U.S. started the war jointly with Israel on Feb. 28, according to the article.
Open questions
Whether the ceasefire will hold after both sides’ warnings.
The extent of coordination between Israel and the U.S. regarding the retaliation.
Key figures
President Donald Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
Hamidreza Azizi, Iranian security expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs
Daniel Sobelman, assistant professor of International Relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, speaker of the Iranian Parliament
Foad Izadi, professor at the University of Tehran
Oded Ailam, former head of counterterrorism for Mossad
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (deceased, killed in earlier Israeli strikes)
Mojtaba Khamenei (reported injured in same attack that killed his father)
Sources: csmonitor.com
