Iran declares end to attacks on Israel, closes airspace

Iran's military announced an end to its attacks on Israel, declaring it had delivered a "painful response" in support of Lebanon. The statement, broadcast by state radio on Monday, indicated the "cessation of operations" by the armed forces. Israel also signaled an end to its strikes on targets within Iran, according to an insider who spoke to Reuters.

However, Iran's military leadership warned of harsher attacks if Israel continued its assaults in Lebanon. Following the latest military escalation, Iran has closed its entire airspace until further notice, as reported by the state news agency IRNA. All flights at Iranian airports have been canceled.

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Israel and Iran must immediately stop ‘shooting.’

Earlier, the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization had only imposed a flight ban over parts of the country. Concerns remain high about a renewed escalation of the conflict with Israel. Despite the recent attacks, Iran's military leadership stated its operations were temporarily concluded, and Israel indicated it would halt its strikes.

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Both sides, Israel and Iran, are seeking an immediate ceasefire! The final peace negotiations are moving forward, unless ignorance or stupidity gets in the way. The blockade (of the Strait of Hormuz, important for oil trade) remains in full effect until the conclusion of a final agreement. It should be quick.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump had urged both Iran and Israel to cease their "shooting" immediately. He wrote on his platform Truth Social, "Israel and Iran must immediately stop ‘shooting.’" Trump also suggested that both sides were seeking an "immediate ceasefire" and that "final peace negotiations are moving forward." He added that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would remain in full effect until a final agreement is reached.

Media reports indicated Trump had previously asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from counterattacks. However, Israel has since launched strikes on targets in Iran and continued attacks in Lebanon. The Iranian leadership expressed doubt about Israel's coordination with the U.S. for its counterattacks, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei telling reporters that no one believed Israel could conduct such strikes without U.S. coordination, which he claimed fuels mistrust in negotiations with the U.S. Trump had hoped for and continued to hope for an agreement with Iran to end the war.

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No one believes that Israel could carry out such attacks without coordination with the United States.