Trump's Call Goes Unheeded as Israel and Iran Exchange Attacks
The Middle East conflict has intensified as Israel and Iran engaged in mutual attacks following a period of ceasefire. This escalation defies calls from US President Donald Trump, who requested both parties to exercise restraint. Explosions were heard in three cities, including the Iranian capital, Tehran, according to Iranian state television, while the Israeli military stated it had targeted sites in western and central Iran.
According to AFP on Monday (8/6/2026), Israel described its missile strikes as a response to an Iranian attack on Sunday (7/6) involving 11 missiles, all of which were intercepted with no casualties reported. Previously, Trump had attempted to calm Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as Israel accused Tehran of committing a ‘huge mistake’. ‘I will call Bibi now and tell him not to retaliate,’ Trump said, as reported by Axios journalist Barak Ravid. ‘Israel has done its attack and Iran has done its attack. We do not need any more attacks,’ Trump added.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also called for restraint, stating on X that a return to conflict between Iran and Israel serves no one’s interests and urged for diplomacy. Tehran has insisted that any permanent end to the war must also halt the parallel conflict in Lebanon, where Israel is conducting operations against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement. Tehran had previously warned that any new attacks in Beirut would trigger a return to full-scale hostilities.
An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Ali Safari, told Al-Mayadeen television that Tehran’s attacks occurred after weeks of restraint against Israeli aggression. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard described the strikes as a ‘warning’ following Israeli attacks on the southern outskirts of Beirut, threatening broader attacks if aggression continues.
Iranian media reported on Monday (8/6) that Israel struck a petrochemical plant in Mahshahr, in southwestern Iran. Local media on Telegram reported that Israeli projectiles hit the Karoon Petrochemical Company. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities claimed they targeted two Israeli airbases, Nevatim and Tel Nof, in response to strikes on radar sites in Iran.
Despite the exchange, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel has halted its attacks on Iran, claiming the frontline battle is currently contained. However, he warned Iran against making further mistakes, stating, ‘If Iran makes the mistake of launching attacks against us again, we will respond with full force.’
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian maintained that Tehran remains at the negotiating table, stating that diplomacy and defence are the two wings of national strength. He emphasised that Tehran would not back down in the face of any threats. The Khatam al-Anbiya military command also announced a halt to operations against Israel but warned that much harsher and more destructive measures would follow if aggression continues, particularly in southern Lebanon.