Donald Trump is demanding that Israel and Iran “immediately stop shooting” after a fragile ceasefire began breaking apart in real time, with both sides trading major strikes and raising fears of a wider regional war. Reuters reported that Iran later said it was ending its latest wave of attacks, but warned it could resume military action if Israeli operations continued.
The latest escalation followed Israeli strikes linked to Lebanon and Hezbollah, with Iran responding by launching missiles toward Israel. Israel then carried out further strikes, including reported attacks on Iranian military and industrial targets. The exchange has placed Washington’s ceasefire push under serious pressure, even as Trump claims both sides are moving toward an immediate halt.
The danger now is that restraint may not hold. Hardliners inside Israel are pushing for retaliation, Iran is warning it will respond if attacked again, and regional actors including Hezbollah and the Houthis remain part of the wider battlefield. What began as a call for calm is now exposing the limits of U.S. control over a conflict that could spiral quickly.
For Australia and the wider world, the question is not just whether Israel and Iran stop firing today. It is whether Washington can actually enforce a ceasefire once both sides believe escalation gives them leverage.