After a two-month lull, Israel and Iran have resumed retaliatory attacks, raising tensions in the Middle East. The exchanges began on Sunday night and continued into Monday morning. Iran later announced a halt to its attacks but warned of further retaliation if Israel strikes again. Israel has also threatened to respond to any future attacks.
The recent escalation comes despite efforts by the United States to mediate a ceasefire. US President Donald Trump had urged both sides to seek a peaceful resolution, and Israel reportedly held off on attacking Iran at his request. However, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a strong response to any further Iranian aggression.
The renewed hostilities have impacted global oil prices, with crude oil rising by 5% to $97 per barrel on Monday. The conflict has also displaced over a million people in Lebanon and resulted in thousands of casualties in both Iran and Lebanon.
Efforts to negotiate a lasting peace remain ongoing, with Pakistan acting as a mediator between the US and Iran. However, the recent attacks have complicated these efforts, according to analysts.
