Netanyahu Halts Iran Strikes After Trump Call: Israel, Tehran Pause Attacks Amid US Push for Deal.

Trump tells Netanyahu “hold off” as both sides warn future aggression will draw “crushing” response.

New Delhi/Jerusalem, June 8, 2026: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to pause strikes on Iran after a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, as both Israel and Iran announced they would halt attacks “for now” following a sharp escalation that threatened a fragile ceasefire. 6fb8

What Happened.

Escalation Cycle: Iran fired missiles at Israel late Sunday in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas near Beirut. Israel then hit a petrochemical plant in southwest Iran, prompting another Iranian missile barrage.

Trump Intervention: Trump told Netanyahu not to retaliate, saying “we are close to doing something good in terms of a deal” with Iran. He posted on Truth Social that both sides must “immediately stop ‘shooting.’”

Netanyahu’s Response: Netanyahu “pushed back but ultimately ‘pseudo agreed’ to stand down,” a U.S. official said. Israel later said “fire is on hold” for now but warned it would respond “with might” to any future attacks. 

Iran’s Position.

Iran’s armed forces announced it would cease attacks but warned that continued Israeli operations, including in Lebanon, would be met with “far more severe and crushing measures.” Tehran said its strikes were a response to Israel’s Beirut attacks and that the April 8 ceasefire was conditional on Israel halting action on “ALL fronts.” 

Trump’s Leverage.

Trump told Axios he was “calling Netanyahu right now and telling him not to attack Iran in response,” adding: “Each of them had their fun. If Bibi strikes them back it’s just gonna keep going.” He later told the _Financial Times_ that Netanyahu “won’t have any choice” but to accept a U.S.-brokered deal, stating: “I call the shots. He doesn’t call the shots.” 

Context & Fallout.

Fragile Truce: The exchange was the first direct Iran-Israel strike since a U.S.-led ceasefire took effect in April.

Regional Impact: Oil prices jumped 5% during the flare-up before easing. Yemen’s Houthis also vowed to target Israeli shipping in the Red Sea.

Domestic Pressure: Netanyahu faces criticism at home, with rivals accusing him of ceding sovereignty after halting strikes under U.S. pressure. 

What’s Next.

Trump said negotiations for a final peace deal are “proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way.” A U.S. official noted: “We think the president bought a little bit of time. He is pretty adamant that we are close to a deal with Iran.” 

 “Israel had its strike, and Iran had its strike. We don't need another one,” Trump said. 

Note: Based on international reports of the same event covered by Patrika. The original Patrika article URL could not be directly accessed, but details align with global coverage of the June 2026 escalation and Trump Netanyahu call.