Iran-Israel strikes halted after Trump intervention; Israel reportedly strikes in southern Lebanon | LIVE BLOG

i24NEWS Israel Defense News Iran-Israel strikes halted after Trump intervention; Israel reportedly strikes in southern Lebanon | LIVE BLOG Iran-Israel strikes halted after Trump intervention; Israel reportedly strikes in southern Lebanon | LIVE BLOG Both sides step back from the most serious escalation since April, but tensions remain high 2 min read 2 min read ■ Israel reportedly conducts airstrikes in the area of Tyre in southern Lebanon 27A according to Israeli law Iran and Israel have halted direct strikes on each other on Monday following a personal appeal from President Donald Trump, pulling back from their most serious military confrontation since April. The exchange was triggered by Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Beirut's Dahieh, in response to numerous rocket and drone attacks on Israeli territory, which prompted Iran to fire missiles at Israeli territory. Israel retaliated by hitting Iranian air defense systems and a petrochemical plant in Mahshahr used to produce ballistic missile components. Iran's Revolutionary Guards then struck what they said was a similar facility in Haifa. No deaths were reported on either side. Trump told both countries to stop shooting, writing on social media that peace negotiations were continuing "subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way." In an Axios interview published Monday, he warned Netanyahu directly,"Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon." Iran has conditioned its halt on Israel ceasing operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, a demand Israel has rejected, insisting the two fronts are separate. Both sides are now publicly defiant: an Israeli military official said Israel was ready to continue "for as long as it takes," while Iran warned it could renew strikes against US interests at any time. READ MORE FROM MONDAY US Vice President JD Vance: US will pursue Iran nuclear deal regardless of Israel's position Vice President JD Vance said Monday that the United States would continue pursuing a long-term nuclear settlement with Iran, whether or not Israel approved, drawing a clear line between American and Israeli objectives. Speaking to Fox News, Vance acknowledged that the two allies shared many interests but said there were areas where they diverged. "Israel may like that. They may not like that," Vance said of the nuclear deal push. "But fundamentally, we think this is in the best interest of the United States of America." Vance said Trump believed the past year and a half of pressure had created the necessary conditions for a lasting agreement and that the president would keep pursuing it , adding, "That's what President Trump was elected to do." Israel reportedly conducts airstrikes in the area of Tyre in southern Lebanon Crew rescued after US Apache helicopter crashes near the Strait of Hormuz for the first time during the Iran-Israel conflict READ MORE