Iran and Israel say hostilities halted after brief missile exchanges

TEHRAN: Iran and Israel on Monday said hostilities between them had halted after exchanging missile and air strikes that briefly raised fears of a wider regional escalation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the “fire on that front is contained” after Iran announced it had stopped its military action against Israel.

The exchange began when Iran launched missiles at Israel on Sunday in response to Israel’s ongoing operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah. Israel then carried out retaliatory strikes on Iranian targets, triggering another round of missile fire before Tehran declared a halt.

Iran has linked regional stability to the war involving Hezbollah in Lebanon, warning it would respond if Israeli strikes continued there. Israel has also warned of strong retaliation if Iran resumes attacks.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said military operations in Lebanon would continue and that Israel would respond to any escalation. He also said strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Beirut would continue in response to attacks from Lebanon.

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Former US President Donald Trump reportedly urged both sides to halt hostilities, while diplomatic efforts continued behind the scenes involving regional actors.

Iran said its military operations had ended but warned that any further attacks, including in southern Lebanon, would trigger a stronger response. Israeli officials rejected the warnings, saying Israel would continue acting in its own defence.

Following the announcement of a halt, Israel’s education ministry said schools would reopen, while Iran’s aviation authorities reopened airspace, signalling cautious stability.

Despite the ceasefire announcements, both sides issued warnings of renewed action if hostilities resume, keeping regional tensions high across Israel, Iran, and Lebanon.