US President Donald Trump on Monday said both Israel and Iran were “looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE” and that final negotiations toward a “peace” agreement were underway, even as tensions remained high in the Middle East following renewed exchanges of fire.
In a statement, Trump said, “Both sides, Israel and Iran, are looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE! Final negotiations on ‘Peace’ are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way.”
Also read: Israel and Iran must immediately stop 'shooting', says Trump as Mideast boils again
He added that “the Blockade will remain in place, and in full force and effect, until a ‘Final Deal’ is reached,” and suggested that developments could move quickly. “Things should move quickly. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he said.
The remarks come at a time when the region is witnessing heightened military tensions, with recent exchanges of fire between Israel and Iran and ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation.
While Trump indicated progress in ceasefire discussions, there was no immediate confirmation from Israeli or Iranian authorities regarding any formal agreement or breakthrough in negotiations.
Escalation follows missile strikes, ceasefire breach
Trump’s statement came even as he earlier called for an immediate end to hostilities, saying Israel and Iran must stop “shooting” following renewed exchanges of fire that have pushed tensions higher across the Middle East.
Tensions escalated sharply after air raid sirens sounded across Israel late Sunday, with the Israeli military saying it intercepted incoming Iranian missiles in what was the first such barrage since an April ceasefire took effect in the region.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps described the strike as a “warning” following Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs earlier in the day, while cautioning that wider attacks could follow if escalation continued.
The April 8 ceasefire had temporarily halted major hostilities between Iran and Israel as well as the United States, but efforts to turn the truce into a lasting settlement have repeatedly stalled. Sunday’s exchange came as the wider conflict crossed 100 days, further weakening prospects of a durable peace.
Israel, meanwhile, accused Iran of committing a “grave mistake”, saying its military intercepted all 11 missiles launched in the attack and reported no casualties. Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said the armed forces would “strike the enemy with force as soon as the green light is given”.
Trump urges restraint amid fears of wider war
Trump also intervened diplomatically, reportedly advising Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against retaliation after the latest exchange.
“Israel had its strike and Iran had its strike. We don’t need another one,” Trump was quoted as saying, according to Axios journalist Barak Ravid. He further said he would “call Bibi right now and tell him not to retaliate”, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.
A US official later confirmed Trump and Netanyahu had spoken, although the White House did not issue an official readout of the call.
Iran has warned that any further Israeli strikes on Beirut could trigger a “full-scale resumption” of hostilities, while accusing Washington of backing Israeli actions. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf alleged that US assets in the region could be treated as “legitimate targets”.
Following the missile exchange, Iran temporarily closed airspace over its western region, with Iraq and Syria also restricting air traffic. Israel later said it struck a militant command centre in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district in response to Hezbollah fire, an attack that killed two people and injured 20, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
Iran-backed Hezbollah confirmed firing missiles and drones at Israeli military positions earlier in the day.
Also read: Iran launches missiles at Israel for first time since Mideast truce
Wider conflict and stalled diplomacy
The escalation comes amid a broader regional conflict involving multiple actors, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, with both Israel and Iran accusing each other of crossing “red lines”.
While some diplomatic engagement continues — including reported mediation efforts involving Pakistan — negotiations between Tehran and Washington remain stalled. Iranian officials have described talks as being at a “deadlock”, while the US has said sanctions relief would depend on progress in any future agreement.
The tensions have also spilled into the Strait of Hormuz, where US Central Command said it destroyed two Iranian drones it claimed threatened maritime traffic, further intensifying concerns over regional stability.
