Netanyahu Says Conflict With Iran, Hezbollah Far From Over

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel’s conflict with Iran and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah is not yet over, despite Tehran’s decision to suspend attacks on Israel.

The statement came after Iran announced a temporary halt to military strikes, while warning that hostilities could resume if Israeli forces continue operations in Lebanon.

The latest developments follow an exchange of attacks between Iran and Israel, marking the first direct confrontation since Washington and Tehran agreed to a fragile ceasefire in April.

Iran reportedly launched missiles towards northern Israel after accusing the Israeli government of violating the truce through repeated strikes in Lebanon, including a recent attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs. In response, Israel said it carried out large-scale strikes targeting strategic defence installations.

Despite the escalation, Netanyahu maintained that both Iran and Hezbollah have been significantly weakened by Israeli military operations, while stressing that the conflict remains unresolved.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a ceasefire could still be achieved.

Trump said both Israel and Iran appeared interested in reaching an immediate cessation of hostilities and indicated that negotiations aimed at securing a broader peace agreement were ongoing.

He also reiterated that the United States would maintain restrictions on Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman until a final agreement is reached.

However, signals from Tehran suggest that prospects for a near-term agreement remain uncertain, with Iranian officials reportedly questioning the viability of further negotiations under current circumstances.

The renewed tensions have heightened concerns about stability in the Middle East, even as global markets reacted to the developments, with oil prices retreating after earlier gains driven by fears of a wider regional conflict.