ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters on Monday announced suspending its operations targeting Israel, shortly after US President Donald Trump said the two sides are seeking a ceasefire.

The Iranian military command said in a statement that its forces gave “a painful response” to Israel, following the latter’s Sunday attacks on southern Beirut which reignited hostilities between the two countries overnight.

“Accordingly, the suspension of the armed forces' operations is announced; but it is emphasized that if the aggressions and evils continue, including in southern Lebanon, much more severe and crushing measures will be on the way,” the statement read.

Less than an hour before the Iranian announcement, US President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the Iran and Israel “are looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE!” noting that “final negotiations on “Peace” are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way.”

The announcement marks the end of an overnight operation by Iran on Sunday, in retaliation for recent Israeli strikes on Lebanon. Israel in response carried out strikes on central and western Iran early Monday.

Earlier in the day, Iran blamed the US for the resumption of hostilities with Israel, stating that it is “natural” for the escalations to affect the diplomatic discussions toward an agreement.

The renewed hostilities came as an early April ceasefire had largely stopped hostilities between the US, Israel, and Iran. Though Israeli operations continued in Lebanon.

Iran had also been adamant on including Lebanon in the ceasefire during its negotiations with the US to stop Israel’s aggression in the country.

On Wednesday, Israel and Lebanon agreed on a “complete cessation” of hostilities and the withdrawal of Hezbollah from southern Lebanon after a US-mediated negotiating process that Hezbollah repeatedly criticized. Israel continued military operations in Lebanon, including a heavy bombardment on southern Beirut on Sunday which triggered the Iranian attack.