Iran announces cessation of military operations, Israel responds to Trump's request amid warnings of escalation in Lebanon

Iran's Central Operations Room, known as the 'Khatam al-Anbiya' headquarters, announced the end of its military operations against Israel as of this Monday. The statement clarified that this decision came after carrying out what Tehran described as a 'painful' response to previous Israeli airstrikes, while simultaneously affirming its readiness to return to more violent escalation.

Iran's military command warned that any continuation of Israeli aggression, especially in areas of southern Lebanon, would be met with harsher military measures than before. The statement emphasized that the cessation of current operations is linked to the other side's commitment to halting hostile actions that threaten the region's security and stability.

In contrast, media sources revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to a direct request from US President Donald Trump to halt attacks on Iranian territory. The sources indicated that this Israeli retreat aims to provide an opportunity for diplomatic efforts led by the White House to achieve a comprehensive de-escalation.

Despite the direct de-escalation with Iran, an Israeli official confirmed that military operations in southern Lebanon would continue at full strength in the coming days. The official added that the Israeli army would not hesitate to target the southern suburbs of Beirut if rocket attacks on Israeli towns and settlements continued.

Monday witnessed an important phone call between Netanyahu and Trump, preceding the latter's announcement via social media platforms of both parties' desire to reach an immediate ceasefire. According to informed sources, the call focused on the necessity of containing the situation and preventing the region from sliding into a comprehensive regional war with dire consequences.

For his part, US President Donald Trump stated that Israel and Iran are seriously seeking to end the direct military confrontation. Trump warned that 'ignorance or foolishness' could hinder the final negotiations currently underway, noting that the recent exchange of strikes almost undermined the fragile understandings reached previously.

Trump affirmed in a post on 'Truth Social' that the US blockade imposed on Iranian ports would remain in effect and strictly enforced. He clarified that the lifting of these economic restrictions would only occur after reaching a final and comprehensive deal that guarantees the interests of the United States and its allies in the region.

In Tehran, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian affirmed that his country remains strongly engaged in the diplomatic path to end the war in the Middle East. Pezeshkian stressed that Iran's national strength is based on two parallel tracks: military defense and active diplomacy, asserting that his country will not withdraw from either.

These developments come after the renewal of direct confrontations between Tehran and Tel Aviv for the first time since a truce was announced about two months ago. Observers believe that this latest escalation puts international efforts aimed at achieving peace to a real test, especially given the complex field conditions on the Lebanese front.

Pakistan is currently leading active mediation between Washington and Tehran, which began weeks ago coinciding with the announcement of the initial ceasefire. Despite the optimism expressed by the US President about the imminent conclusion of an agreement, the field still witnesses intermittent tensions that threaten to collapse the negotiation process at any moment.

The current conflict is linked to a series of events that began last February, leaving the region in a state of constant alert. International parties are currently seeking to establish new rules of engagement to prevent the recurrence of mutual attacks that targeted the depth of both countries in recent hours.

Anticipation remains the master of the situation, awaiting the outcomes of the ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiations in the coming days. While reports speak of a desire for peace, mutual threats and military operations in Lebanon and the southern suburbs remain pressure factors that could lead to a renewed explosion of the situation.

Defense and diplomacy are pillars of national strength.. We have not left the field nor the negotiating table.