Netanyahu vows to respond ‘with force’ if Iran breaks halt in fighting

Updated June 9, 2026 — 1:54am,first published June 8, 2026 — 5:45am

Beirut/Dubai/Jerusalem: Israel and Iran traded fire early Monday in their first attacks since the US struck a ceasefire with Tehran two months ago. Hours later, Iran’s military said that it would stop offensive operations, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to respond to any future strikes “with force”.

The renewed hostilities threatened to drag the Middle East back into a full-scale war as officials continue efforts to turn an April ceasefire into a deal to permanently end the conflict.

During the truce, Iran has maintained its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz – a crucial passage for the world’s oil and natural gas whose closure was the primary reason global fuel prices skyrocketed. Israel has continued to strike Hezbollah, Iran’s ally in Lebanon, and pushed deeper into that country. And on Monday, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, another Iranian ally, fired at Israel and warned they would target Israel-affiliated ships in the Red Sea.

With little apparent progress in peace talks, Israel and Iran exchanging fire, and the Houthis joining the fight, the risk of the war fully erupting again appeared higher than at any point since the ceasefire.

In the wake of the new attacks, US President Donald Trump wrote online: “Israel and Iran must immediately stop ‘shooting.’”

“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,” Trump said. “The Blockade will remain in place, and in full force and effect, until a ‘Final Deal’ is reached. Things should move quickly.”

Shortly after, the Iranian military’s joint command issued its statement. It said that if Israel or its supporters carried out any further “aggression and hostile acts,” including in southern Lebanon, then “much more severe and crushing measures than before will follow”.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it had targeted two military bases in Israel, describing the attack as being part of Operation Nasr, or “Victory”. The Guard said it launched the missiles after Israel targeted radar sites in three areas of Iran.

In a videotaped statement, Netanyahu said the fighting stopped after Israel “hit the terror regime in Tehran.” But he said if Iran “makes the mistake and returns to attacking us, we will respond with force.”

Netanyahu said Israel is continuing to operate against Iran’s ally, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, and that Israel “has full right to self-defence,” which it will use