Iran Says Its Operations Against Israel Have Ended, Warns Against Further Strikes in Lebanon
Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the joint command headquarters of Iran's armed forces, announced this afternoon, Monday, that its operations against Israel have ended. But the Islamic Republic warned, “In the event of continued attacks on Lebanon, especially in southern Lebanon, the Zionist enemy will suffer even harsher and more painful blows.”
Against the backdrop of the Iranian announcement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke. Shortly afterward, reports in Lebanon said of Israeli strikes in the Tyre area. Meanwhile, a senior Israeli official said that “Israel will respond if it is attacked,” but that “the feeling is that this round is behind us. We are awaiting a final decision from the political echelon.”
In the official statement from Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, it was said: “In response to the acts of aggression and evil by the brutal Zionist regime in southern Lebanon and in the Dahieh area, carried out with the support of criminal America, the armed forces of Iran have delivered this regime a painful response, as part of support for the oppressed Lebanese people, a response from which the fake Zionist regime and its supporters must learn a lesson. The end of the armed forces’ operation is hereby declared. It should be emphasized that in the event of continued acts of aggression and evil, including in southern Lebanon, far more severe and crushing measures than before are on the way.”
About two hours before the Iranian announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump warned in a post on his social network TRUTH that “Israel and Iran must stop the fire immediately,” despite the fact that IDF sources said earlier, “We are in full coordination with the United States.” Later, Trump posted again and wrote: “Both sides, Israel and Iran, want a ceasefire. The final negotiation on ‘peace’ is underway, subject to the ignorance or stupidity that will stand in its way. The siege will remain in force, and at full strength, until a ‘final deal’ is reached. Things must move quickly.”
Last night, after the launches toward Israel began and before the Israeli response, President Trump addressed Iran and said: “You fired your missiles, that is enough. Go back to the negotiations and sign a deal.” Trump told the Financial Times that the Iranian attack on Israel would have “no effect” on the negotiations, and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would have “no choice” but to accept an agreement with Iran. Trump added, “I set the lines. I set all the lines. He does not set the lines.”
Before the escalation, alongside the Air Force strike yesterday in the Dahieh neighborhood of Beirut, Trump told NBC that he “does not demand that Lebanon be part of the deal with Iran,” after reports that Jerusalem had updated Washington about the strike in the Lebanese capital. “We are very close to an agreement in my opinion, but the most important thing is that they do not have nuclear weapons,” Trump said. “If there is a deal, we will start removing the uranium and destroy it, together with the Iranians or without them. If there is no deal, we will eliminate them militarily so that we can safely remove the nuclear material. The nuclear material is buried underground and they cannot reach it, only we and China can reach it. They are a proud nation, so they have not yet signed an agreement. There will be no release of Iranian assets.”
Trump added that he would like to speak with Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, but said he has not spoken with him yet. “From what we see, he is highly regarded,” Trump said. “He is more rational, much more than his father. He is seriously injured.”
The launches came after two months without fire from Iran toward Israel, since the ceasefire was declared on April 8, after 40 days of the “Lion's Roar” war. More than 20 missiles were launched toward Israel since last night, and no impacts or casualties were reported. In the early morning hours, the Air Force began striking targets in Iran, including air defense systems and the petrochemical complex in Mahshahr in southwestern Iran.
Following the renewed launches from Iran, ERAN is increasing its support centers as needed to provide expanded assistance to the public. If you are experiencing emotional distress, ERAN provides life-saving mental first aid services 24/7, anonymously and immediately, for any emotional distress. For mental health assistance, call 1201, WhatsApp 052-8451201, or use the chat on ERAN's website.
