Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
- Israel and Iran have fired missiles at each other in a new escalation
- It comes after Israel struck Iran early Monday in response to an Iranian attack on northern Israel
- US President Donald Trump had said he would urge Israel not to respond
- The Iran-backed Houthis have threatened to target Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea
- The EU’s top diplomat has urged all parties to return to the negotiating table
Read below for a roundup of news related to the Iran war and the wider Middle East on Monday, June 8, 2026.
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Skip next section India: Expansion of Gulf crisis would be ‘worrying’06/08/2026June 8, 2026
India: Expansion of Gulf crisis would be ‘worrying’
An expansion of the war in the Middle East to other areas is a cause for concern, according to Indian Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
“It may remain a conflict not confined to that theater … you know you could have problems elsewhere,” he told local broadcaster CNN-News18 on Monday.
“Maybe some other theater starts off. That would be worrying.”
Puri said that India has total oil and gas reserves to last 76-80 days.
https://p.dw.com/p/5EzoNSkip next section China ‘deeply concerned’ by Middle East escalation06/08/2026June 8, 2026
China ‘deeply concerned’ by Middle East escalation
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Beijing was “deeply concerned” by the renewed hostilities between Israel and Iran and expressed hope that a fragile truce in the conflict would be respected.
“Resuming hostilities is not in any party’s interest,” spokesman Lin Jian told a news briefing, adding: “It is hoped all relevant parties will fulfil their commitment to a ceasefire.”
China‘s focus, however, was on North Korea on Monday as President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang for a rare state visit — his first in seven years.
https://p.dw.com/p/5EzLcSkip next section Iran says US responsible for escalation with Israel06/08/2026June 8, 2026
Iran says US responsible for escalation with Israel
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that it holds the United States “responsible for the consequences of any escalation” in Middle East.
“Israel[‘s] actions cannot be separated from US policies,” said a Foreign Ministry spokesman, adding: “[The] US holds direct responsibility [for] recent ceasefire breaches.”
The spokesman also took aim at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accusing the UN nuclear watchdog of “disregard[ing] realities of the conflict” and of political bias in the ongoing crisis.
The renewed Israeli strikes on Iran have come despite US President Donald Trump reportedly warning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from further attacks.
“I call the shots. I call all the shots. He [Netanyahu] doesn’t call the shots,” claimed Trump, speaking to the Financial Times, insisting that the renewed hostilities were “not going to have any impact” on a peace deal.
A senior US official told The Associated Press (AP) on Sunday that Trump had urged Netanyahu not to retaliate immediately for the Iranian missile attack, which itself came in response to Israeli strikes on the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
AP also reported that officials from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and Qatar involved in mediation efforts between Iran and the US were “furious” at the Israeli strikes on Beirut, which came while the Pakistani interior minister was in Tehran in a bid to encourage negotiations.
The mediators reportedly told the US administration that the Beirut strike was designed “to disrupt our efforts to reach a deal” and that “Trump has to stop Netanyahu’s reckless maneuvers.”
https://p.dw.com/p/5EzHjSkip next section Yemen: Houthis announce ‘ban’ on Israeli Red Sea shipping06/08/2026June 8, 2026
Yemen: Houthis announce ‘ban’ on Israeli Red Sea shipping
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have declared a ban on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea and claimed a missile strike on Israel.
“We declare a complete and total ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea,” read a Houthi statement. “We consider all enemy movements to be legitimate military targets for our armed forces from the moment this statement is issued.”
The Houthis, who had previously harassed cargo ships in the Red Sea during Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, joined the current Middle East war in support of Iran in March – but had not conducted any attacks on Israel since a fragile ceasefire began on April 8.
On Monday morning, however, they said they “launched a missile barrage targeting sensitive Israeli enemy targets,” claiming the strikes “achieved their objectives with precision.”
The Israeli military said earlier that it had “identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory” and that “aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat.”
Along with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis form part of the so-called “Axis of Resistance” grouping of pro-Iran forces opposed to Israel and the United States.
With the Strait of Hormuz closed, the Red Sea passage between the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Suez Canal has acquired additional importance for commercial shipping, but is vulnerable to attacks from Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen.
https://p.dw.com/p/5EzE6Skip next section Middle East ‘does not need further escalation’ — EU’s Kallas06/08/2026June 8, 2026
Middle East ‘does not need further escalation’ — EU’s Kallas
The European Union‘s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has criticized the latest exchanges of missile fire between Israel and Iran and called for all parties to negotiate.
“I don’t think the region needs further escalation,” she told reporters ahead of a gathering of EU defense ministers in Nicosia, Cyprus, on Monday morning.
Kallas insisted that a “diplomatic solution” be found to the conflict and called on all sides to “sit down at the negotiating table and come to an agreement.”
The former Estonian prime minister said European countries were prepared to help escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz — “but the first point really has to be a ceasefire.”
She said Brussels was “in contact with both sides and is communicating this message to them.”
Only after a ceasefire could “difficult” topics such as Iran‘s nuclear program be discussed, she added.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Ez8rSkip next section Oil prices rise following latest exchanges06/08/2026June 8, 2026
Oil prices rise following latest exchanges
The price of oil was up around 4% on Monday morning in response to the latest exchange of missile fire between Israel and Iran.
Following the latest escalation, global standard Brent crude was trading at around $97 a barrel for delivery in August.
The conflict in the Middle East and the continuing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world’s oil supplies pass, has led to global shortages and price increases, with Brent crude reaching a peak of $120 a barrel earlier in the year.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Ez3xSkip next section Israel strikes Iranian petrochemical plant06/08/2026June 8, 2026
Israel strikes Iranian petrochemical plant
Israeli missiles struck a petrochemical plant in southwestern Iran on Monday morning, according to both Iranian and Israeli authorities.
An official from Iran’s Khuzestan province said the Karun petrochemical plant near the city of Mahshahr had been hit and partially damaged, according to the Fars state news agency.
The Israeli military said it struck “several targets” at the complex.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Ez1jSkip next section Israel issues all-clear after second wave of missiles06/08/2026June 8, 2026
Israel issues all-clear after second wave of missiles
The Israeli military said on Monday morning that it had intercepted a second barrage of Iranian missiles fired towards its territory and issued an all-clear.
“Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the military had said after urging the public to take shelter.
Rocket alerts were issued in parts of central and southern Israel, among other areas.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties resulting from the latest Iranian attack.
https://p.dw.com/p/5EyxmSkip next section Israel detects missile fired from Yemen06/08/2026June 8, 2026
Israel detects missile fired from Yemen
The Israeli military said it detected a missile launched from Yemen toward Israeli territory.
It said air defenses were working to intercept the threat but did not elaborate about the missile’s trajectory.
Yemen is home to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The Houthis have fired missiles at Israel multiple times during Israel’s previous strikes against Iran, and they have also attacked cargo ships in the Red Sea in retaliation for Israel’s ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza.
https://p.dw.com/p/5EywxSkip next section Israel used air-launched ballistic missiles — IRGC06/08/2026June 8, 2026
Israel used air-launched ballistic missiles — IRGC
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Israel used air-launched ballistic missiles in its attack.
It did not immediately elaborate further about the strikes.
Meanwhile, state television reported explosions in cities including Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan and Tabriz.
https://p.dw.com/p/5EyweSkip next section Here’s what you need to know about the latest escalation06/08/2026June 8, 2026
Here’s what you need to know about the latest escalation
If you’re only joining us now, here’s a recap of what happened over the weekend:
- Iran fired a salvo of missiles at Israel on Sunday, during what it called a ‘warning’ strike
- The strikes were the first Iranian attacks on Israel since a ceasefire came into effect in April
- Iran said they were in response to Israeli attacks on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, earlier on Sunday
- Shortly after the strikes, Iran closed parts of its airspace
- US President Donald Trump said he would urge Israel not to respond
- Trump reiterated once again optimism regarding peace negotiations with Tehran
- The Israeli military said that Iran had committed what it called a ‘grave mistake’
- A spokesperson for the Israeli military said its chief of general staff is currently conducting a ‘situational assessment’ with its supreme command body
For more details, check out our weekend live blog on the Middle East conflict here
https://p.dw.com/p/5EyvuSkip next section Israel says it struck ‘military targets’ in Iran06/08/2026June 8, 2026
Israel says it struck ‘military targets’ in Iran
The Israeli military on Monday struck Iran, in retaliation for Iranian strikes on Israel which Tehran said were “warning” strikes.
The Israeli military said it struck “targets of the Iranian terror regime in western and central Iran.”
Iranian media reported explosions in the capital, Tehran, as well as in Tabriz and Isfahan.
Iranian state TV said explosions were heard across the country.
https://p.dw.com/p/5EyvsSkip next section Welcome to our coverage06/08/2026June 8, 2026
Welcome to our coverage
Zac Crellin | Rana Taha Editor
Iran and Israel have exchanged strikes, reviving fighting which had halted since a ceasefire came into effect on April 8, with US President Donald Trump still hoping for a ceasefire deal.
Iran struck Israel on Sunday, saying its attacks were in response to Israeli strikes on the Lebanese capital, Beirut. Israel retaliated in the early hours of Monday, despite media comments from Trump suggesting he would urge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to do so.
Trump seemed hopeful peace negotiations with Iran would still bear fruit despite the latest escalation.
This blog will bring you all the latest on the situation in the Middle East.
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