US President Donald Trump warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that if Israel returns to war with Iran, Netanyahu might find himself without US support. Trump said, "I said, ‘Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon’" during a phone call on June 8, following escalating violence in the region [1, 2, 3].
The escalation began on June 7 when Israel carried out a deadly airstrike on Beirut targeting a Hezbollah command center. Iran responded by launching missile attacks on northern Israel, sparking an exchange of strikes between the two countries [1, 2, 3].
Israel targeted Iranian air defense systems and petrochemical facilities, while Iran retaliated by striking a petrochemical plant in Haifa and hitting Israeli airbases [1, 2].
No casualties were reported from the missile exchanges on June 7 and 8. However, Israeli attacks on the town of Tyre, Lebanon, on June 9 killed at least eight civilians and forced thousands to flee. Four paramedics were among the wounded in Tyre [2].
Netanyahu defended Israel's actions, stating, "Israel has a full right to self-defence, and we are exercising it as required," and warned Iran against further attacks, threatening a full-force response [1, 2, 3].
White House officials and an Israeli source said Trump’s latest call with Netanyahu was calmer than a previous exchange in which Trump reportedly called Netanyahu “f** crazy” [3]. During the call, Trump also said he was in the "final throes" of a peace deal with Iran, expecting the Strait of Hormuz to reopen shortly after [2].
The situation remains tense after nearly a week of attacks and retaliations, with the latest major violence on June 9 in Tyre the deadliest incident so far. Both sides have paused attacks following recent strikes, but diplomatic efforts and communications continue amid the volatile security environment [1, 2].
