'Neither Battlefield Nor Talks Abandoned': Iran President After Halting Strikes On Israel

Published 8 June 2026 · world

'Neither Battlefield Nor Talks Abandoned': Iran President After Halting Strikes On Israel Published By, Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 20:06 IST The president’s statement came

'Neither Battlefield Nor Talks Abandoned': Iran President After Halting Strikes On Israel Published By, Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 20:06 IST The president’s statement came after Iran’s military announced it was ending its latest operation against Israel following overnight exchanges of fire. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian addresses cabinet members in Tehran. (AFP file photo) Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday said Tehran remained at the negotiating table after halting attacks on Israel, following the first exchange of fire between the two countries since a fragile ceasefire in April. The president’s statement came after Iran’s military announced it was ending its latest operation against Israel following overnight exchanges of fire. “Our priority is national security and the peace of our people. We will defend the rights of the nation with authority and will not retreat in the face of any threat.

Diplomacy and defense are the two wings of national power; we have neither abandoned the field nor the negotiating table. God willing, with unity and rationality, Iran will emerge triumphant from this trial as well," Pezeshkian said in a post on X. اولویت ما امنیت ملی و آرامش مردم است. با اقتدار از حقوق ملت دفاع میکنیم و در برابر هیچ تهدیدی عقبنشینی نخواهیم کرد. دیپلماسی و دفاع دو بال قدرت ملیاند؛ نه میدان را ترک کردهایم و نه میز مذاکره را. به امید خدا با وحدت و عقلانیت ایران از این آزمون نیز سربلند عبور خواهد کرد.— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) June 8, 2026 Military Action Paused The latest military operation, described by Iranian forces as a “painful response", involved dozens of missiles fired at Israeli targets. The military warned, however, that “should acts of aggression and hostility continue, including in southern Lebanon, much more severe and crushing measures than before will follow." Israel responded by targeting Iranian military sites, dismantling defence systems across several areas, according to the Israeli military.

An Israeli official said nearly 30 missiles had been fired from Iran since Sunday night. The latest exchange began after Israel’s military struck Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday. Lebanon’s health ministry said the attack killed two people and wounded 20 others, prompting Iran to respond with missile fire towards Israeli territory. Tehran had repeatedly warned that it would retaliate if Beirut came under attack. Despite the intense exchanges on Monday, no casualties have been reported in either country so far. (With inputs from agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad.