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US strikes Iran as Tehran fires back; Trump says Iran will ‘pay the price’ for stalled talks

EDGARDO HERNAL
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US strikes Iran as Tehran fires back; Trump says Iran will ‘pay the price’ for stalled talks

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United States launched airstrikes against targets in Iran early Wednesday, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran against countries hosting American military forces in the Middle East, further straining efforts to end the months-long conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran would “pay the price” for stalled peace negotiations, hours after Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan reported coming under Iranian fire. The latest exchange marked the second major flare-up this week, raising concerns about the durability of a two-month ceasefire that has repeatedly come under pressure.

Trump’s comments underscored the uncertainty surrounding diplomatic efforts. Earlier this week, he expressed optimism that an agreement to end the conflict could be reached within days. However, Wednesday’s escalation highlighted the continuing challenges facing negotiators.

Iran has remained defiant despite weeks of sustained military pressure. Analysts note that Tehran continues to view its ability to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and natural gas shipments, as a significant strategic advantage.

While both Washington and Tehran appear interested in ending the conflict, major obstacles remain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has continued to advocate for broader objectives, including dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, weakening Iranian-backed militant groups, and increasing pressure on Iran’s governing system.

The conflict, which began after U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran on February 28, has had significant economic repercussions. Global energy prices have surged, with Brent crude oil climbing above $92 per barrel, representing an increase of more than 25 percent since hostilities began.

According to U.S. Central Command, American fighter jets targeted Iranian air defense systems, ground control facilities, and surveillance radar installations. Iranian authorities confirmed strikes near Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island but did not immediately disclose the extent of the damage.

U.S. military officials described the operation as a proportional response to recent attacks on American forces and international commercial vessels operating in regional waters.

Iranian officials vowed retaliation. Tehran later claimed responsibility for attacks targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.

Jordan reported intercepting five incoming missiles allegedly aimed at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, a facility known to host U.S. military aircraft, including F-35 fighter jets. Authorities said no casualties were reported. Bahrain and Kuwait also announced that incoming projectiles had been intercepted.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. strikes as a violation of Iranian sovereignty and reiterated Tehran’s right to self-defense during discussions with officials from Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei later said Tehran would reassess its position on ongoing peace negotiations following the latest attacks.

The renewed hostilities came a day after a U.S. Army attack helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz following a collision with an Iranian drone, according to a U.S. official familiar with the investigation. Both crew members were rescued and were not injured.

Despite the escalating conflict, diplomatic differences remain the primary obstacle to a settlement. The United States continues to demand that Iran surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which Washington views as a proliferation risk. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and has rejected the demand while seeking sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets.

Trump renewed pressure on Tehran through a social media post, accusing Iran of delaying negotiations and warning of consequences if an agreement is not reached.

Meanwhile, tensions have also intensified elsewhere in the region. Iran has maintained that any peace arrangement must address fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel, however, has continued military operations against Hezbollah positions.

The Israeli military reported conducting multiple strikes in southern Lebanon over the past day. Lebanese state media said an airstrike on a village east of Tyre killed at least six people.

Regional security concerns also extended to major shipping lanes. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported that armed personnel aboard a cargo vessel in the Gulf of Aden repelled an attack by gunmen operating from a small boat. No group immediately claimed responsibility, though Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have previously threatened to resume attacks on vessels linked to Israel.

Separately, maritime authorities reported a fire aboard a tanker in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz. One person was injured and two others were reported missing. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.

As military operations continue across multiple fronts, uncertainty remains over whether diplomatic efforts can prevent a broader regional conflict.

DOJ orders NBI task force probe into drowning deaths of two Ateneo basketball players

Venus L Peñaflor
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DOJ orders NBI task force probe into drowning deaths of two Ateneo basketball players

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to create a special task force to investigate the deaths of two Ateneo de Manila University basketball players who drowned during a team-building activity in Aurora province.

The victims were identified as Rene Clert Baterbonia, 19, an incoming Ateneo Blue Eagles rookie, and Divine Adili, 21, a Nigerian student-athlete. Both were members of Ateneo’s men’s basketball program.

According to initial reports from police authorities, the incident occurred on June 8 in Dipaculao, Aurora, where the team was conducting a team-building activity. Authorities said the players were swept by strong currents while in the water. These findings remain preliminary and are subject to further investigation.

In a directive issued by the DOJ, the NBI was instructed to form a task force that will conduct a thorough and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The move effectively elevates the investigation to the national level alongside ongoing police inquiries.

Local police units under Police Regional Office 3 previously said there was no initial indication of foul play based on witness accounts gathered at the scene. However, investigators stressed that all aspects of the incident remain under review as evidence is still being collected.

Authorities are also examining the planning and safety conditions surrounding the activity, including supervision and risk management measures, as part of standard procedures in determining the full context of the incident.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has likewise been assisting in the broader fact-finding efforts.

Ateneo de Manila University confirmed the deaths in an official statement and expressed grief over the loss of the two student-athletes. The university asked for privacy for the families and extended condolences to teammates, coaches, and the wider community.

The incident has drawn widespread reactions from the Philippine sports community, including expressions of sympathy from collegiate sports organizations, basketball stakeholders, and supporters.

While the incident has been widely referred to on social media as occurring in Baler, official reports identify Dipaculao as the specific municipality in Aurora province where the drowning took place.

The DOJ-led NBI task force and police investigators are expected to release further updates as the inquiry progresses.

This is a developing story.

Umakyat sa 38 ang nasawi sa magnitude 7.8 lindol sa Mindanao

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Umakyat sa 38 ang nasawi sa magnitude 7.8 lindol sa Mindanao

MAYNILA — Umabot na sa 38 ang bilang ng mga nasawi sa magnitude 7.8 na lindol na tumama sa Sarangani noong Lunes, ayon sa Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Ayon sa OCD, nananatili sa apat ang bilang ng mga nawawala, habang pumalo na sa 478 ang bilang ng mga sugatan.

“Ito ang update natin as of 3 p.m. In terms of casualty, 38 na po ang reported dead casualty. Mayroon pa rin pong apat na missing, at 478 injured individuals,” pahayag ni Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Administration Asec. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV.

Batay sa ulat ng ahensya, pinakaapektado pa rin ang General Santos City at mga lalawigan ng Sarangani at South Cotabato, kung saan naitala ang pinakamaraming casualty, displacement, at pinsala sa mga bahay at imprastruktura.

“Most affected areas pa rin in terms of casualties, displacement, damage to houses and infrastructures ay General Santos City at ang mga probinsya ng Sarangani at South Cotabato,” dagdag ni Alejandro.

Samantala, umabot na sa mahigit P562.8 milyon ang tinatayang pinsala sa imprastruktura sa Davao Region at SOCCSKSARGEN, ayon sa OCD.

“So far ang reported sa atin ay P562.8 million ang infrastructure damages sa dalawang regions, Regions 11 and 12,” ani Alejandro.

Patuloy naman ang malawakang search, rescue at retrieval operations sa mga apektadong lugar.

“As of 3 p.m., may 2,784 personnel na ang naka-deploy mula sa Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, at Bureau of Fire Protection,” dagdag pa niya.

Ayon sa OCD, patuloy ang pag-validate ng mga ulat sa pinsala at posibleng madagdagan pa ang bilang ng mga biktima habang nagpapatuloy ang operasyon sa mga apektadong komunidad.

Eight crested ibises released in Japan decades after extinction

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Eight crested ibises released in Japan decades after extinction

HAKUI, Japan — Eight crested ibises were released into the wild in a north-central Japanese town, marking a significant conservation milestone decades after the species went extinct in the country.

The birds were set free during a ceremony in Hakui city in the Noto region, the last known area where the species was recorded in the wild. Residents and local officials observed as the ibises emerged from individual wooden cages and flew over the surrounding landscape.

Known locally as Toki, the crested ibis is native to East Asia and is distinguished by its white plumage, orange-pink wing feathers, and bright red facial markings.

The species disappeared from Japan’s main island of Honshu in the 1970s due to overhunting and habitat loss. The last native Japanese crested ibis died in 2003 on Sado Island.

Their reintroduction has been made possible through a decades-long captive breeding program supported by international cooperation, including breeding assistance from China. A successful captive breeding pair established in 1999 helped rebuild Japan’s population in controlled environments.

Since 2008, conservationists have gradually released the birds back into the wild. Current estimates place the wild population at around 500 individuals.

Officials said the latest release in Hakui also carries symbolic importance for the region, which is still recovering from a major earthquake in 2024.

Authorities continue to monitor additional birds scheduled for future releases as part of the ongoing restoration program.

The birds were set free during a ceremony in Hakui city in the Noto region, the last known area where the species was recorded in the wild. Residents and local officials observed as the ibises emerged from individual wooden cages and flew over the surrounding landscape.

Kenyan police disperse protests over US Ebola quarantine facility

Venus L Peñaflor
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Kenyan police disperse protests over US Ebola quarantine facility

NANYUKI, Kenya — Kenyan police fired tear gas and water cannon on Tuesday to disperse hundreds of protesters opposing the construction of a U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base, a project that has drawn mounting legal and public opposition.

The planned 50-bed isolation unit, intended for Americans exposed to Ebola, has sparked anger among residents who accuse Washington of shifting the burden of managing exposure cases from outbreaks in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Authorities have continued building the facility despite court orders halting further work.

Demonstrators gathered in multiple parts of Nanyuki, a town adjacent to the military base where the facility is being developed. Some waved Kenyan flags, while others carried placards rejecting the project. Police detained at least 10 people during the dispersal, according to a Reuters witness.

Tensions have escalated in the area following earlier protests in which two people were killed last week. Residents say uncertainty surrounding the project has disrupted daily life and affected tourism activity linked to nearby attractions, including Mount Kenya and wildlife conservancies.

Protesters also voiced political anger, directing chants at President William Ruto and accusing the government of ignoring public concerns. Authorities have defended the project as part of broader health preparedness efforts, though public communication remains limited.

A Kenyan High Court has twice ordered the government to halt construction and suspend operations at the site. The latest ruling required officials to disclose all agreements and operational protocols related to the facility within one week.

Legal representatives challenging the project said the deadline expired without compliance, raising further questions about government adherence to judicial directives.

The U.S. government has said the facility is intended for asymptomatic Americans exposed to the virus, with symptomatic patients to be treated elsewhere. Washington has also stated it is working with Kenyan authorities to address legal objections.

Despite the court orders, flight tracking data and diplomatic sources indicate continued movement of U.S. personnel and equipment into the area, while satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters shows expanded temporary structures within the air base.

The proposed site forms part of a broader U.S. Ebola response effort, even as Kenyan officials say the facility may also serve local and foreign nationals. The U.S. has separately committed $13.5 million to Kenya’s Ebola preparedness programs.

Authorities have not yet indicated whether construction will be suspended in compliance with court rulings, as legal and public opposition continues to intensify.

Mindanao earthquake kills 37, displaces over 32,000 as rescue operations continue

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Mindanao earthquake kills 37, displaces over 32,000 as rescue operations continue

GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines — Rescue teams in the southern Philippines continued searching damaged and collapsed structures on Tuesday, a day after a powerful offshore earthquake killed at least 37 people, injured nearly 500 others, and displaced more than 32,000 residents across affected provinces.

Authorities said only four people remained officially listed as missing, but warned that extensive structural damage in multiple towns and cities requires thorough inspection to ensure no victims remain trapped beneath debris.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao on Monday morning, triggering panic across southern regions and forcing thousands into evacuation centers amid fears of a possible tsunami. Small tsunami waves were recorded, but only minor structural damage was reported in coastal areas, including several stilt houses in a village along the shoreline.

General Santos City, a major urban center with a population of more than 700,000, reported at least 13 fatalities linked to collapsed buildings and falling debris. Disaster officials also confirmed at least 18 deaths in Sarangani province, most of them caused by a landslide that buried homes in the town of Glan.

Additional fatalities were reported in South Cotabato, Davao Occidental, and Balut Island, according to the Office of Civil Defense.

Initial government assessments show widespread infrastructure damage, including approximately 2,500 houses and more than 100 government buildings and facilities across multiple provinces. The General Santos international airport remained closed for a second day, resulting in the cancellation of dozens of domestic flights, except those carrying humanitarian assistance.

Officials cautioned that aftershocks could further weaken already damaged structures. Schools and other public facilities with visible cracks remain closed pending safety inspections.

“We cannot force the immediate reopening of schools because we have to ensure the integrity of the buildings,” disaster official Rafaelito Alejandro said.

The earthquake originated at a depth of 33 kilometers along the Cotabato Trench, a known seismic zone. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said it was the strongest tremor in the region in decades, comparable to major historical earthquakes that have previously caused widespread devastation in the country.

The Philippines lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic activity, and tsunamis. The country also experiences frequent tropical storms, compounding risks for disaster-affected communities.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has deployed senior disaster response officials to coordinate search and rescue operations and oversee the distribution of relief goods and emergency shelter materials.

International partners, including the United States, France, Japan, and New Zealand, have expressed readiness to assist in ongoing response efforts.

Authorities said search and recovery operations will continue as structural assessments expand across affected provinces in the coming days.

U.S. pilots rescued after AH-64 Apache helicopter crash near Strait of Hormuz  

EDGARDO HERNAL
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U.S. pilots rescued after AH-64 Apache helicopter crash near Strait of Hormuz  

WASHINGTON/DUBAI — Two U.S. Army aviators were rescued after their AH-64 Apache attack helicopter went down near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. officials confirming that both crew members survived without injuries.

According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the helicopter went down near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters on Monday. American rescue forces recovered the two soldiers within approximately two hours, and both were reported to be in stable condition.

President Donald Trump confirmed the successful rescue, telling reporters that the pilots were “fine” and that no injuries had been reported.

Military officials have not yet determined what caused the aircraft to go down. Investigators are examining whether the incident resulted from hostile action, mechanical failure, or another operational factor.

The rescue drew international attention because it involved a U.S. Navy Corsair unmanned surface vessel operated by Task Force 59, a Bahrain-based unit that integrates artificial intelligence and autonomous systems into maritime operations. The drone vessel located and assisted the crew before they were transferred to other rescue assets.

Defense analysts said the operation may represent one of the first known real-world military personnel recoveries conducted with the assistance of an autonomous surface vessel, highlighting the growing role of unmanned systems in search-and-rescue and combat-support missions.

The incident occurred near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints for global energy shipments and a region that has remained tense amid ongoing security concerns involving the United States, Iran, and regional allies.

CENTCOM said the cause of the helicopter incident remains under investigation. No official determination has been released regarding whether the aircraft was brought down by hostile fire or suffered a mechanical malfunction.

The episode comes as military activity remains elevated across the Middle East despite continuing diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing broader regional instability.

Umabot sa 35 ang nasawi sa magnitude 7.8 na lindol sa Mindanao

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Umabot sa 35 ang nasawi sa magnitude 7.8 na lindol sa Mindanao

MANILA, Pilipinas — Umakyat na sa 35 ang bilang ng mga nasawi matapos yanigin ng magnitude 7.8 na lindol ang Mindanao noong Lunes, ayon sa pinakahuling datos ng Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Batay sa ulat ng OCD hanggang alas-8 ng gabi, 31 sa mga nasawi ay mula sa rehiyong SOCCSKSARGEN habang apat naman ang naitala sa Davao Region. Sa SOCCSKSARGEN, 17 ang nasawi sa Sarangani, 12 sa General Santos City, at dalawa sa South Cotabato.

Iniulat din ng mga awtoridad na mahigit 134 katao ang nasugatan habang hindi bababa sa isang dosenang indibidwal ang nananatiling nawawala habang nagpapatuloy ang search, rescue, at retrieval operations sa mga lugar na matinding naapektuhan ng lindol.

Niyanig ng malakas na pagyanig ang katimugang bahagi ng Mindanao matapos tumama ang offshore earthquake sa timog ng General Santos City. Kasunod nito, sunod-sunod na malalakas na aftershock ang naitala, kabilang ang isa na umabot sa magnitude 6.5, ayon sa mga seismologist.

Isa sa mga pinakamalubhang insidente ang naganap sa bayan ng Glan, Sarangani, kung saan hindi bababa sa 14 katao ang nasawi matapos matabunan ng landslide ang kanilang mga tahanan sa paanan ng bundok. Ayon kay Sarangani Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief Rene Punzalan, agad na naganap ang pagguho ng lupa matapos ang pangunahing lindol.

Sinabi ni Punzalan na nahihirapan pa ring makipag-ugnayan ang mga responder sa ilang komunidad dahil sa malawakang pagkawala ng kuryente at pagkasira ng komunikasyon sa mga apektadong lugar. Dagdag pa niya, nananatiling mataas ang pangamba ng mga residente dahil sa posibilidad ng mas malalakas pang aftershock.

Malawak din ang pinsalang iniwan ng lindol sa General Santos City. Kabilang sa mga naitalang nasira ang mga commercial buildings, paaralan, ospital, at iba pang imprastraktura. Sa mga larawang kumalat sa social media at verified by international news agencies, makikitang gumuho ang isang gusali ng fast-food restaurant habang isa pang school building ang bumagsak. Wala namang naiulat na estudyanteng nasugatan sa naturang paaralan dahil walang tao sa loob noong mangyari ang insidente.

Pansamantalang isinara ang General Santos International Airport matapos makaranas ng pinsala ang ilang bahagi ng pasilidad. Patuloy namang sinusuri ng mga awtoridad ang kaligtasan ng mga gusali, tulay, at iba pang imprastraktura sa rehiyon.

Mahigit 2,000 residente ang inilikas matapos magpalabas ng tsunami warning ang mga awtoridad kasunod ng lindol. Inabisuhan ang mga naninirahan sa mga baybaying lugar sa Pilipinas, Indonesia, at iba pang kalapit-bansa na lumikas patungo sa mas mataas na lugar bilang pag-iingat. Kalaunan ay binawi rin ang mga tsunami warning matapos mapag-alamang wala nang malaking banta ng mapaminsalang alon.

Naglabas naman ng panawagan si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa mga residente ng mga baybaying komunidad na agad sumunod sa mga kautusan ng mga awtoridad at unahin ang kanilang kaligtasan. Inatasan din niya ang lahat ng kinauukulang ahensiya ng pamahalaan na tiyaking tuloy-tuloy ang relief, rescue, at recovery operations sa mga apektadong lugar.

Patuloy ang assessment ng mga awtoridad sa kabuuang lawak ng pinsala habang nagpapatuloy ang mga operasyon para hanapin ang mga nawawala at matulungan ang mga residenteng naapektuhan ng isa sa pinakamalalakas na lindol na tumama sa bansa nitong mga nakaraang taon.

Ang Pilipinas ay matatagpuan sa Pacific Ring of Fire, isang rehiyong kilala sa madalas na lindol at aktibidad ng mga bulkan dahil sa paggalaw ng mga tectonic plate.

Xi, Kim pledge deeper China–North Korea cooperation in rare Pyongyang summit

Venus L Peñaflor
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Xi, Kim pledge deeper China–North Korea cooperation in rare Pyongyang summit

SEOUL, South Korea — Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation during high-level talks in Pyongyang, underscoring a renewed push to reinforce one of Asia’s most closely watched alliances.

The summit, held on Monday, marked Xi’s first visit to North Korea in seven years and comes amid shifting geopolitical alignments in Northeast Asia. Chinese state media reported that Xi’s arrival was met with a large-scale ceremonial welcome at Pyongyang’s international airport, where he and his wife Peng Liyuan were received by Kim Jong Un and First Lady Ri Sol Ju.

In a subsequent mass reception at Pyongyang’s main square, military honor guards, coordinated performances, and large crowds participated in a highly choreographed ceremony symbolizing the countries’ long-standing “friendship and unity,” with national flags and banners displayed prominently.

During formal talks, Xi expressed China’s willingness to expand cooperation with North Korea across sectors including trade, agriculture, construction, and technology, according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV. He also called for strengthened strategic coordination and reaffirmation of mutual security interests.

Kim described Xi’s visit as evidence of an “unbreakable” relationship between the two countries, adding that deepening bilateral ties remains a “strategic choice” for Pyongyang, CCTV reported.

The meeting reflects efforts by both governments to revitalize a traditional alliance that has faced recent recalibration, particularly as North Korea has expanded cooperation with Russia amid broader global tensions. Analysts say Beijing’s renewed engagement signals an effort to reassert its influence over Pyongyang and maintain leverage in regional diplomacy involving the United States.

China remains North Korea’s most significant economic partner and diplomatic supporter, with bilateral trade recovering to pre-pandemic levels and limited transport links recently restored, including flights and rail services.

Observers say potential areas of Chinese support may include economic assistance, agricultural supplies, and expanded tourism, although no formal package has been publicly detailed.

The summit also takes place against the backdrop of renewed global concern over North Korea’s nuclear program, which Pyongyang continues to expand while rejecting international calls for denuclearization.

Neither side released a full official transcript of the discussions, and details of any agreements remain limited.

Iran and Israel pause strikes following U.S. ceasefire appeal amid continued tensions

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Iran and Israel pause strikes following U.S. ceasefire appeal amid continued tensions

DUBAI/JERUSALEM, June 8 (Reuters) — Iran and Israel have announced a temporary halt to direct strikes against each other following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump urging both sides to “stop shooting,” although Tehran warned it could resume operations if Israeli military actions in Lebanon continue.

The latest exchange marked the most direct confrontation between the two countries since an April ceasefire, raising concerns that ongoing hostilities could derail diplomatic efforts led by Washington to end a wider regional conflict.

Financial markets reacted swiftly to the escalation. Oil prices, which had surged by as much as five percent during the exchanges, later eased after Iran’s military indicated that its initial wave of strikes had concluded. The U.S. dollar also retreated from recent highs.

A source briefed on the situation said Israel had also decided to pause its strikes on Iranian targets. The development followed a cycle of attacks in which Israel struck Iranian facilities after Tehran launched missile fire toward Israeli territory on Sunday night.

Iran said its actions were in response to Israeli strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah positions on the outskirts of Beirut. Israel, in turn, said it targeted a petrochemical facility in southwestern Iran that it described as linked to ballistic missile production. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it carried out retaliatory strikes on an Israeli industrial site in Haifa.

Iran’s military headquarters described its response as “painful,” adding that operations had been halted for now but warning that further escalation would follow if attacks continued, including in southern Lebanon.

The flare-up has complicated efforts by President Trump to broker a broader agreement with Tehran and Israel. In social media posts, Trump said both sides supported an “immediate ceasefire” and that final negotiations on a peace framework were ongoing, while warning that enforcement measures against Iran would remain in place until a deal is reached.

Israeli and Iranian officials have both signaled readiness to continue military operations if necessary. An Israeli military official said strikes on Iranian air defense systems and industrial sites would continue “as long as it takes,” while Iranian officials said they were prepared for prolonged confrontation and potential expansion of attacks against U.S. interests in the region.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was exchanging messages with Washington under conditions of “extreme suspicion,” accusing Israel of attempting to undermine diplomatic efforts through continued operations in Lebanon.

Explosions were reported in Tehran on Monday, with Iranian air defenses reportedly intercepting a drone over the capital. No casualties or significant damage were immediately confirmed.

In Yemen, the Iran-aligned Houthi movement said it would escalate actions in the Red Sea and claimed responsibility for firing missiles toward Israel, although the group has largely remained on the periphery of the broader conflict.

Israeli officials said Iran had launched nearly 30 ballistic missiles since Sunday evening, with additional missiles reportedly fired by Houthi forces. Israel’s emergency services reported no casualties from the latest missile attacks.

The conflict has also impacted energy and maritime security concerns. Tehran continues to exert pressure in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, while Washington maintains sanctions and restrictions on Iranian ports.

Lebanon remains a parallel flashpoint, with Israel continuing military operations against Hezbollah and diplomatic discussions expected to resume in Washington, according to the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon.

Analysts warn that while the latest pause in strikes may temporarily reduce immediate escalation risks, underlying tensions between Iran, Israel, and allied regional actors remain unresolved.

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