Iran has announced a halt to its military operations against Israel, signaling a temporary pause in the latest escalation while simultaneously issuing a stark warning over any future Israeli strikes in Lebanon.

According to a statement carried by Iranian media, Khatam al-Anbiya, Iran’s emergency military command, declared that military operations against Israel have ceased. However, Iranian officials stressed that the pause should not be interpreted as a retreat.

Iranian officials also claimed they received messages indicating that Israel is interested in a ceasefire and does not intend to carry out additional attacks. “We are considering our next steps,” an Iranian source said.

At the same time, Iran’s military spokesman warned that any continuation of what Tehran describes as Israeli “aggression” would be met with a far more powerful response.

“We are ceasing fire,” the spokesman said. “But we emphasize that if attacks and hostile actions continue, including in southern Lebanon, more severe, harsher, and decisive measures than before will be taken.”

The statement appears to establish a new Iranian red line: Israeli military action in southern Lebanon could now trigger direct Iranian missile attacks on Israel.

The announcement also had an immediate impact on global markets. Oil prices erased part of their earlier gains after reports emerged that Iran’s armed forces had halted military operations, easing fears of a wider regional conflict.

Despite the pause, tensions remain extremely high, with Iran making clear that it views any future Israeli strike in Lebanon as a potential trigger for renewed direct confrontation between the two countries.