Israel and Iran have announced a pause in hostilities less than 24 hours after both countries exchanged fresh strikes despite an existing ceasefire agreement.
Gatekeepers News reports that the development came after US President Donald Trump urged both nations on Monday to immediately end the attacks and return to the path of diplomacy.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the suspension of military operations in a video statement, saying Israel would refrain from further strikes following its latest attack on Tehran.
“At the moment, we are holding our fire, because after we struck the terror regime in Tehran, it ceased attacking us,” Netanyahu said.
He, however, warned that Israel would respond with “overwhelming force” should Iran resume attacks.
Iran also announced that it was halting military operations against Israel but cautioned that it would retaliate if Israeli actions continued in Lebanon, where the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have targeted Hezbollah positions.
“The cessation of armed forces operations is announced,” Iran’s emergency military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, said in a statement carried by state media.
“However, it is emphasized that if the aggression and acts of malice continue, including in southern Lebanon, much more severe and crushing measures than before will be forthcoming.”
Reports indicated that Trump and Netanyahu held a telephone conversation shortly before the Israeli leader announced the suspension of strikes.
Earlier in a post on Truth Social, Trump said final negotiations aimed at securing peace were ongoing, expressing optimism that efforts to end the conflict were making progress.
