West Asia war LIVE: Netanyahu acknowledges halt in fighting with Iran but vows to respond 'with force' to future attacks – The Hindu

Home Latest News West Asia war LIVE: Netanyahu acknowledges halt in fighting with Iran but vows to respond 'with force' to future attacks – The Hindu
West Asia war LIVE: Netanyahu acknowledges halt in fighting with Iran but vows to respond 'with force' to future attacks – The Hindu

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June 8, 2026e-Paper
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June 8, 2026e-Paper
Updated – June 08, 2026 09:48 pm IST
U.S. President Donald Trump with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. File | Photo Credit: Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the halt in fighting with Iran on Monday (June 8, 2026), but he vowed to respond “with force” to future attacks.
In a videotaped statement, Mr. 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 “to the full extent necessary.”
Also read: U.S.-Iran agree on 60-day ceasefire extension, but Trump must approve: reports
Israel and Iran fired at each other on Monday (June 8, 2026) while Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a missile at Israel and threatened to disrupt Red Sea shipping. It’s the most serious escalation since a ceasefire began two months ago and threatens to plunge West Asia back into war. 
Also read: West Asia war updates on June 7, 2026
Israeli authorities said three waves of Iranian missiles targeted the country. Explosions could be heard in central Israel as Israeli air defences sought to intercept the incoming Iranian fire.
Israeli Prime Minister ​Benjamin Netanyahu​ acknowledged the halt in fighting with Iran on Monday (June 8, 2026), but he vowed to respond “with force” to future attacks.

Netanyahu acknowledges halt in fighting with Iran but vows to respond 'with force' to future attacks

Netanyahu acknowledges a ceasefire with Iran but warns of a strong response to any future attacks, emphasising Israel's right to self-defence.


Netanyahu acknowledges a ceasefire with Iran but warns of a strong response to any future attacks, emphasising Israel's right to self-defence.
On Monday (June 8, 2026), the Indian Embassy in Iran issued a travel advisory to Indian citizens, after the escalation in the West Asia conflict. “In view of the latest developments in the region, the Embassy reiterates its earlier advice to all Indian Nationals to avoid any travel to Iran. Indian Nationals presently in Iran are also advised to exit the country by available means of transport,” the advisory said.
India warns citizens in Iran to leave immediately and avoid travel due to escalating regional tensions and conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the halt in fighting with Iran on Monday (June 8, 2026), but he vowed to respond “with force” to future attacks.
In a videotaped statement, Mr. 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.” Mr. 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 “to the full extent necessary.”
A Lebanese Culture Ministry official told AFP on Monday (June 8) that Israeli bombardment had damaged a World Heritage site in the southern city of Tyre, as correspondents there saw debris and damage at the site.
One of the oldest cities on the Mediterranean coast, Tyre in antiquity was at various times Phoenician, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine.
The city lies around 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the Israeli border, and its UNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins include the remains of Roman baths and a second-century triumphal arch and hippodrome, located across two main areas of the city.
AFP
Two drone strikes hit ‌an Iranian Kurdish opposition ⁠camp east of Iraq’s Erbil, ‌security sources told Reuters ‌on ‌Monday (June 8), ⁠adding that ⁠there were co casualties reported.
There were two ‌drone attacks on Sunday (June 7) near Iraq’s Sulaimaniya, ‌one targeting a base of the ⁠Kurdish Peshmerga forces and ‌the other striking a camp housing Iranian Kurdish opposition ‌groups west of the city, according ⁠to security sources. 
Reuters
Israel has halted strikes ‌on Iran at the request ⁠of U.S. President Donald Trump, a ‌senior Israeli official was ‌cited as ‌saying ⁠by ⁠Channel 12 on Monday (June 8).
The official added that ‌if Hezbollah attacks on Israeli towns continue, Israel ‌will attack the southern suburbs of Beirut.
The ⁠Channel 12 report, citing ‌the senior Israeli official, also said that Israeli strikes in ‌southern Lebanon would continue at full strength in ⁠the coming ⁠days.
Reuters
India on Monday (June 8, 2026) voiced “utmost concern” over the escalating conflict in West Asia and called for the swift conclusion of ongoing negotiations to restore peace and stability in the region.
New Delhi also sought the immediate de-escalation of tensions and the protection of civilians from harm.
“India deeply regrets the renewed attacks in West Asia. These developments are a matter of utmost concern to the international community,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
“This conflict has now lasted over 100 days and has already caused immense human suffering. It has also had a debilitating impact on the global economy and energy supplies,” the MEA said.
“We call on all parties to immediately de-escalate tensions, ensure that civilians are not harmed and conclude ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region,” it said.
– PTI
Iran’s military command on Monday (January 8, 2026) announced it was halting its operation against Israel after the two sides exchanged fire for the first time since a truce took effect in April.
Iran had delivered a “painful response” to Israel and “accordingly, the cessation of armed forces operations is hereby announced”, the Khatam al-Anbiya command said in a statement carried by state television.
“However, it is emphasised that should acts of aggression and hostility continue, including in southern Lebanon, much more severe and crushing measures than before will follow,” it added.
– AFP
Israeli bombardment has damaged a World Heritage site in Lebanon’s southern city of Tyre, a Culture Ministry official told AFP on Monday (June 8, 2026), as correspondents there saw debris and damage.
One of the oldest cities on the Mediterranean coast, Tyre lies around 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the Israeli border, and its UNESCO World Heritage listed ruins are located in two main areas of the city.
Israel’s military has heavily bombed Tyre since the latest war erupted with Hezbollah, and on Sunday (June 8, 2026) it issued a further evacuation warning that covered districts including one of the archaeological areas, known as the city site, which is home to Roman ruins.
AFP
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Israel and Iran are looking to do an ‘immediate ceasefire’. He insisted that final negotiations on “peace” are proceeding. 
“The Blockade will remain in place, and in full force and effect, until a ‘Final Deal’ is reached. Things should move quickly,” he posted on Truth Social.
Israel has carried out nearly 3,500 air strikes on Lebanon and hundreds of controlled explosions since the U.S. announced a ceasefire for the country on ‌April 16, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Monday (June 8, 2026).
The U.S.-brokered ceasefire came into ⁠effect just after midnight on April 17, with Israeli troops still positioned deep inside southern Lebanon. While it has largely halted ‌air strikes on Beirut and its suburbs, it has failed to halt fighting in southern ‌Lebanon between Israel and Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.
In comments ‌published ⁠by his office on X after ⁠a Cabinet meeting, Mr. Salam said that from April 17 to June 7, Israel had carried out 3,491 air strikes, 407 controlled demolitions and six “razing” operations, or demolitions — ‌which have left some entire villages in the southernmost strip of Lebanon entirely flattened.
– Reuters
India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said on ⁠Monday (June 8, 2026) that a ‌fire was reported ‌on ‌a ⁠oil ⁠tanker with 24 Indian seafarers on ‌board, adding that all of ‌them were safe.
Indian TV ⁠channels said that ‌the vessel on fire was located off ‌the coast of Oman.
– Reuters
The European ‌Union has imposed sanctions ⁠on Iranian individuals and ‌entities for ‌threatening the ‌freedom ⁠of maritime ⁠traffic, EU Foreign Policy Chief ‌Kaja Kallas said on Monday (June 8, 2026).
Mr. Kallas made ‌the remarks to reporters at ⁠a meeting of ‌EU Defence Ministers in Cyprus. She did ‌not immediately provide any further details. 
– Reuters
U.S. President ‌Donald Trump in a ⁠Truth Social post on ‌Monday (June 8, 2026) said that “Israel ‌and ‌Iran ⁠must immediately ⁠stop ‘shooting’”.
Israel earlier said it hit ‌a petrochemical plant in Iran’s southwest, ‌along with strikes elsewhere ⁠on military targets, after ‌Mr. Trump reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister ‌Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from further ⁠attacks.
– Reuters
Iran has fired almost 30 ballistic missiles at Israel since Sunday (June 8, 2026) night, said Israeli military official. He said that the air force struck Iranian air defence systems that were being rebuilt after previous conflict.
The Israeli military said that it struck petrochemical complex in southwest Iran used to produce ballistic missiles.
The IDF said that it is prepared for a range of options in Iran, from several days to “as long as it takes”.
– Agencies
Local media in Iran said on Monday (June 8, 2026) that a “hostile drone” was shot down over the capital Tehran during the new round of fighting with Israel.
“A hostile drone belonging to the American-Zionist enemy was targeted and destroyed by air defences in the skies over Tehran,” the Mehr news agency reported, without elaborating.
– AFP
The Gulf crisis ‌expanding to other areas could ⁠create new problems and be worrying, ‌Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep ‌Singh Puri ‌told ⁠local broadcaster CNN-News18 ⁠on Monday (June 8, 2026), adding that New Delhi has ‌total oil and gas reserves to last 76-80 ‌days.
“It may remain a conflict not ⁠confined to that theater… you know ‌you could have problems elsewhere. Maybe some other theater starts off. ‌That would be worrying,” Mr. Puri said, referring to ⁠the crisis in ⁠Gulf. 
– Reuters
A huge blast rocked central Tehran on Monday (June 8, 2026), an AFP journalist reported, followed by repeated explosions believed to be from air defence systems in the capital.
The initial explosion shook the premises of the Foreign Ministry in central Tehran, where an AFP journalist was attending a weekly press conference.
“The exact location and source of this explosion are still unknown,” local media, including Fars news agency, reported, adding that “simultaneously, air defence was also activated in some parts of Tehran”.
– AFP
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards ‌said on Monday (June 8, 2026) they responded ⁠to what they described ‌as an American-Israeli strike ‌on ‌an ⁠Iranian petrochemical ⁠site by launching a missile attack on ‌a similar plant in Israel’s ‌Haifa.
The Guards warned that further ⁠attacks on non-military and energy ‌targets in the region would have consequences ‌for the global economy, for which the ⁠United States ⁠would be responsible.
– Reuters
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson says Iranian armed forces did not launch any attack on Saudi Arabia.
– Reuters
Iran said on Monday (June 8, 2026) that Pakistan’s mediation efforts to end the war with the United States were continuing even after fighting resumed with Israel.
“Diplomatic consultations are naturally continuing in all circumstances,” said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.– AFP
Iran said on Monday (June 8, 2026) that the resumption of hostilities in the Middle East war will have consequences for ongoing talks with the United States to reach peace in the region.
“It is perfectly natural that the diplomatic process initiated to put an end to this imposed war would be affected,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said at a press conference in Tehran attended by AFP. — AFP
The Israeli military said on Monday (June 8, 2026) it had struck and dismantled Iranian defence systems deployed across several areas in the country.
“Recently, defence systems were deployed in numerous areas across Iran as part of the regime’s efforts to restore its detection and defence capabilities, which were degraded during Operation Roaring Lion,” the military said.
“The strike led to the dismantling of these systems,” it said, adding that dozens of warplanes participated in the operation. — AFP
Iran said on Monday (June 8, 2026) that the United States held responsibility for the resumption of fighting with Israel, saying Israel’s actions “cannot be separated” from US policy.
“Without a doubt, as I said, the actions of the Zionist regime in the region cannot be separated from US policies,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said at a press conference in Tehran attended by AFP.
“No one believes that the Zionist regime would carry out any action without prior coordination and cooperation with the United States,” he added. 
Iran said it is continuing U.S. exchanges through Pakistani mediators– AFP
China said it was “deeply concerned” Monday by fresh attacks between Israel and Iran, expressing hope that a fragile truce in the Middle East war would be respected.
“Resuming hostilities is not in any party’s interest,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news briefing, adding: “It is hoped all relevant parties will fulfil their commitment to a ceasefire.” — AFP
The Israeli military said on Monday (June 8, 2026) that it had detected a new barrage of missiles launched from Iran, the sixth salvo since the latest flare-up in fighting began the previous day.
“A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran towards the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the military said.
– AFP
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a missile attack on Israel on Monday (June 8, 2026) and declared a ban on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea, raising the spectre of a return to major disruption on the key route.
“We declare a complete and total ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea,” said a statement from the Houthis’ armed forces.
They said they “launched a missile barrage targeting sensitive Israeli enemy targets”, claiming the strikes “achieved their objectives with precision”.
The Israeli military earlier wrote on Telegram that it “has identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory, aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat”. – AFP
Qatari PM spoke with Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi, said Qatar in a statement. They discussed mediation efforts between Iran and the U.S. and latest developments in Lebanon.
– Reuters
Iran said on Monday (June 8, 2026) it had struck Israel’s Nevatim and Tel Nof air bases, as the two sides traded fire in the largest flare-up in fighting since a ceasefire took effect in April.
“The operation was carried out in response to a missile attack launched by the Zionist regime… against several radar sites in three different places” in Iran, the country’s Revolutionary Guards, the ideological wing of Iran’s army, said in a statement.
– AFP
President Donald Trump is dismissing the idea that launching the war with Iran this year betrayed his refrain of “No new wars” that he made repeatedly as he campaigned again for the White House.
Mr. Trump, in an interview that aired on Sunday (June 7) on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” said he “didn’t guarantee” there would be no wars if he were back in office.
“First of all, I didn’t guarantee no war. Why would I have built the strongest military in the world?” Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Trump also defended plans for a now-scrapped $1.8 billion fund that would have compensated allies of the Republican president and he repeated his baseless claims of mass fraud in California’s drawn-out vote count from Tuesday’s primary. He ended the interview abruptly when he became frustrated with pushback from NBC’s Kristen Welker.
-AP
Israel’s military said on Monday (June 8) it had struck several targets at a petrochemical complex in Mahshahr in southwestern Iran.
“A short while ago, the Israeli Air Force struck several targets at the petrochemical complex in Mahshahr, in southwestern Iran,” the military said.
-AFP
Israel’s military warned the public on Monday (June 8) that a second wave of Iranian missiles was targeting the country.
It urged the public to seek shelter.
The Iranian fire comes after Israel launched strikes on Iran early on Monday in the most serious crossfire since an April 8 ceasefire was reached in the Iran war.
-AP
The Strait of Hormuz will be open but under new conditions to be set by Iran and Oman, including a transit fee, ‌Iran’s ambassador to Moscow was quoted as saying on Monday (June 8).
The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran ⁠has largely cut oil flows via the strait, which before the conflict saw one-fifth of the world’s oil pass ‌through. Several tankers have managed to leave the Gulf recently, but oil and liquefied ‌natural gas flows are still severely constrained.
“Of ‌course, ⁠this strait will be open, but ⁠with new conditions to be determined by the Iranian and Omani authorities,” Ambassador Kazem Jalali told the Russian newspaper Izvestia in an interview published on ‌Monday.
“We understand that Iran and Oman provide certain services related to this strait. And fees will be charged for those services,” he said without ‌elaborating.
-Reuters
An AFP journalist heard an explosion over Jerusalem on Monday, as Israel said it was working to intercept a new wave of Iranian missiles.
The Israeli Army wrote on Telegram it had “identified missiles launched from Iran” and was working to intercept the threat.
It urged the public to take shelter.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has said that the Centre also feels “very sad and sorry” over the hike in gas cylinder prices, but described it as “inevitable” given the prevailing global situation.
The domestic cooking gas LPG price has been raised by ₹29 per cylinder, marking the second increase in three months as state-owned fuel retailers continue to grapple with elevated global energy costs.
“We also feel very sad and sorry about the hike in gas cylinder prices, but before criticising, everyone should understand the situation in the entire world. The world is reeling under very serious crises,” Joshi said, speaking to reporters on Sunday (June 7).
“No transshipment is happening, and LPG is available from a very limited number of sources,” the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy, said.
-PTI
The Israeli ‌military said it had identified ⁠the launch of ‌a missile ‌from ‌Yemen ⁠toward ⁠Israeli territory and that air defence ‌systems were operating to intercept ‌the threat.
No immediate details were ⁠available on ‌the missile’s trajectory or the outcome ‌of interception efforts. 
-Reuters
Saudi Arabia sounds missile alert in area home to the Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts U.S. forces. — AP
Iran closes airspace around Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, country’s main airfield, after Israeli attack. — AP
U.S. President Donald Trump has asked Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate to Iran’s latest barrage of missiles, saying it would jeopardise the ongoing negotiations for a peace deal to end the three-month long conflict.
U.S. media outlet Axios reported that after Iran launched missiles at Israel on Sunday (June 7, 2026), Mr. Trump spoke to Netanyahu in a bid to prevent fresh tensions between the two nations from derailing the peace deal.
Trump urges Netanyahu to avoid retaliation against Iran, emphasizing the need for peace negotiations amid escalating tensions.
Israel launched airstrikes early on Monday (June 8) targeting central and western Iran in response to missile fire.
Iranian state television reported the sound of explosions being heard in Isfahan, Tabriz and Tehran, without immediately elaborating.
Iran closed the airspace around Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, the country’s main airfield, after the Israeli attack.
The attacks further strain efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire in the war between Iran and the United States.
-AP
The U.S. naval blockade of Iran and ‌its green light on Sunday (June 7, 2026) for ⁠Israel to escalate attacks in Lebanon make U.S. bases ‌and Israeli assets in the ‌West Asia legitimate ‌targets, ⁠Iran’s top negotiator ⁠said in a post on X.
The comments from Iran’s ‌Parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, follow Israeli attacks on the southern ‌suburbs of Lebanon’s capital, a stronghold of Iran’s ally ⁠Hezbollah.
Read the story here
Iran's top negotiator warns U.S. targets are legitimate amid escalating tensions over Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards targeted the headquarters of “terrorist groups” in Iraqi Kurdistan, state media reported on Monday (June 8, 2026).
The Iranian government accuses the armed Kurdish parties, which have camps in neighbouring Iraq’s Kurdistan region, of serving Western or Israeli interests and designates them as terrorist organisations.
“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has targeted the headquarters of terrorist groups in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq,” Iran’s IRNA news agency posted on Telegram.
-AFP
Israel said Iran has launched missiles at it in the first such bombardment since a fragile ceasefire took effect in early April, complicating mediation efforts for a deal to end the war.
Iran’s military central command said on Sunday (June 7, 2026) that Israel’s latest strike on the southern Beirut suburbs had “crossed all red lines”, demanding a halt to its campaign in Lebanon.
After the missiles attack at Israel, Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir vowed on Sunday (June 7) that the military would strike Iran “with force” upon receiving orders.
“The IDF will strike the enemy with force as soon as the green light is given,” Mr. Zamir said in a statement as he conducted a situational assessment, the military said.
Read the story here
Israel reports missile attacks from Iran, marking a significant escalation since the April ceasefire, complicating peace negotiations.
The West Asia is suddenly bracing for war again. Iran fired missiles at Israel late on Sunday (June 7, 2026) in the first such bombardment in the two months since a ceasefire. What happened?
The truce in the Iran war that was reached in April has not spread to Lebanon, where Israel has been battling Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants. Israel says it is defending its northern communities that face Hezbollah drone and rocket fire.
Iran sees Israel’s ground invasion, with thousands of troops, and airstrikes in Lebanon as a ceasefire violation. It insists that any deal with the United States must end the fighting there. Israel disagrees.
Read the full timeline of key events here
Tensions between Iran and Israel escalate as Iran launches missiles amid ongoing conflicts in Lebanon and fragile ceasefire efforts.
Oil ⁠prices were up more than $2 a barrel on Monday (June 8, 2026) after Israel on Sunday (June 7) launched renewed strikes on Lebanon despite a truce between the two countries, eroding hopes ‌for an end to the wider war and a restart to crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. crude ‌futures were up $2.10, or 2.32%, at $92.64 per barrel as of 0013 ‌GMT, ⁠while Brent crude futures rose $2.33, or 2.5%, to $95.42 ⁠a barrel.
That erased most of the losses from Friday (June 5), when prices had fallen on mounting hopes of a de-escalation in the U.S.-Iran conflict, which started with U.S. and Israel strikes on Iran in February.
Read the story here
Oil prices surge over $2 following Israel's strikes on Lebanon, jeopardizing hopes for peace and crude flow stability.
Published – June 08, 2026 07:12 am IST
Israel / Israel-US strikes on Iran / West Asia / war / unrest, conflicts and war / USA / Lebanon / Iran / Live news / Donald Trump
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