Iran, Israel say hostilities on hold after first attacks since truce

TEHRAN — Iran and Israel said Monday that hostilities between them had halted, after the two countries exchanged strikes that threatened to reignite the Middle East war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the "fire on that front is contained" hours after Tehran said it had stopped its military action.

Tehran launched missiles at Israel on Sunday over Israel's ongoing war against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel then struck back, despite efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to dissuade Netanyahu.

That triggered another round of Iranian missiles, before Tehran announced it would cease fire.

Iran has sought to tie its truce with the United States — in place since April 8 despite repeated attacks by both sides — to Israel's war against Hezbollah, warning that attacks on Lebanon would force it to act.

Tehran said on Monday it would attack again if Israel persisted with its strikes in Lebanon, while Netanyahu warned in turn that should Iran "make the mistake of resuming attacks against us, we will respond with full force." Earlier, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz i