Israel and Iran exchanged fire on Monday in their first attack since the US struck a ceasefire with Tehran two months ago as the conflict in the region marked 101 days.
The Iranian and Israeli military on Monday evening confirmed that they have paused strikes as the renewed hostilities in West Asia threatened to drag the region into full-scale conflict.
Retaliation over Lebanon incursions
The escalation in conflict came after Israel reported strikes from Iran early on Monday as Tehran military said the attack was in retaliation of Tel Aviv’s military striking the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital of Beirut, which the Islamic Republic views as a violation of the US-Iran ceasefire.
According to an AP report a regional official, the United States told Iran that there would be no more strikes from Israel if Tehran halts its military operations, and that Tel Aviv has agreed to halt its military offensive for now.
Global economic strain and maritime blockades
Since the US and Israel launched their operations against Iran on February 28, the war in the region has left global economy plunging, while soaring the energy prices around the world.
Officials involved in the negotiations to turn the ceasefire into a lasting deal haven’t been able to end the conflict permanently.
Even after the truce was signed on April 8, Iran has maintained its barricade over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which is responsible for 20 percent of global oil and gas supply, as Israel continues to attack Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon.
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Houthi escalation in the Red Sea
To add to the conflicting developments, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in transportation Yemen also launched strikes at Israel on Monday and said that Israeli vessels would a potential target in the Red Sea.
Presidential intervention and thwarted escalate
In the wake of fresh attacks, US President Donald Trump called on Israel and Iran to “immediately stop shooting” and look for an “immediate ceasefire”.
It was shortly after Trump’s message on social media, that the Iranian military’s joint command issued its statement of halting strikes against Israel. The statement further said “aggression and hostile acts” by Israel and its supporters, including in southern Lebanon, would be met with “much more severe and crushing measures than before.”
Ongoing operations against Hezbollah
New York Times, citing two military officials, on Monday reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the military to halt preparations for another attack on Iran.
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However, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz on Monday night said that Israel’s military will continue to operate against Hezbollah in Lebanon, AP reported.
