Trump Urges Israel and Iran to Halt Attacks as Tensions Threaten Fragile Ceasefire

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Israel and Iran to immediately stop exchanging attacks after both countries launched missile strikes despite an existing ceasefire agreement.

The latest escalation occurred on Sunday evening when Iran fired missiles hours after Israel said it had targeted Hezbollah positions in southern Beirut. The Israeli military stated that its operation was in response to rocket attacks allegedly launched by Hezbollah into Israeli territory.

Iran has maintained that the ceasefire arrangement involving the United States and Israel should also apply to Lebanon. Israel, however, rejects that interpretation, insisting that its military campaign against Hezbollah remains separate and will continue.

In a statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) described the latest attacks as the “beginning of a full week of continuous strikes,” raising concerns about a broader regional confrontation.

Before Israel carried out retaliatory operations, Trump said he would encourage Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid further escalation. He later suggested on his Truth Social platform that both Israel and Iran were interested in reaching an immediate ceasefire.

“Final negotiations on peace are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way,” Trump wrote. “The blockade will remain in place, and in full force and effect, until a final deal is reached. Things should move quickly.”

Despite Trump's remarks, neither Israel nor Iran has publicly confirmed that formal peace negotiations are underway.

The renewed hostilities come just days after the United States and Iran exchanged strikes even as diplomatic efforts continued. Trump nevertheless insisted that the ceasefire framework remains in effect, while urging all parties to avoid actions that could derail prospects for a broader agreement.