Iran’s armed forces have announced the end of military operations against Israel while warning that any further Israeli strikes on Lebanon or Iranian territory could trigger a stronger response.
The announcement followed a series of exchanges between the two countries after Israeli attacks on Iran, with explosions reported in Tehran, Tabriz and Isfahan.
The latest escalation came after Israel struck the southern suburbs of Beirut, prompting Iran to launch a wave of missiles at northern Israel.
Iran said the strikes were carried out in support of Lebanon and in response to what it described as repeated Israeli violations of ceasefire agreements.
In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the armed forces said their operations against Israel had been halted following what they described as a response to Israeli actions in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s Dahieh area.
The statement said Israel and its supporters “must learn a lesson” from the attacks.
It added that if what it called aggressions and acts of mischief continue, including in southern Lebanon, “much more severe and crushing actions than before will follow.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran’s priority remains “national security and the peace of our people”.
He said Iran would defend the nation’s rights and would not retreat in the face of threats while maintaining both diplomatic and defensive efforts.
Senior Iranian official Amoli Larijani described the strikes as a strategic message, saying any attack on members of the “axis of resistance” would be met with a response extending beyond geographical borders.
The developments have added to concerns about wider instability in the region amid ongoing diplomatic engagement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has held talks with several countries across the region and beyond as efforts continue to prevent further escalation.
In Lebanon, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Israel carried out 3,491 air strikes, 407 demolitions and six razing operations between April 17 and June 7 despite a ceasefire announced by the United States on April 16.
According to Salam, the latest Iran-Israel escalation has generated additional waves of displacement, further straining Lebanon’s capacity to host fleeing families.
Lebanese authorities said more than one million people have been displaced by Israeli strikes and evacuation threats since the war began on March 2.
Diplomatic engagement is continuing as regional actors seek to prevent further escalation