Iran and Israel say they have halted strikes after first exchange of fire since truce

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Iran and Israel say they have halted strikes after first exchange of fire since truce2 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleDavid GrittenReutersIsraeli settlers inspect part of an Iranian ballistic missile that fell in the occupied West BankIran and Israel say they have halted attacks on each other, after the two countries exchanged fire for the first time since April's truce. The Iranian armed forces said they stopped operations after delivering a "painful response" to Israel, and warned that it would be harsher against continued attacks, including in Lebanon, where Israeli forces are fighting the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was holding fire "at the moment" and that it would respond forcefully to any future attacks.

Iran launched about 30 missiles at Israel in retaliation for a strike in Beirut on Sunday. Israel responded by conducting two waves of air strikes in Iran. An Israeli official said Israel halted its strikes at the request of US President Donald Trump, who the White House said had called Netanyahu to discuss the crisis.

The Details

Trump publicly told both countries to "immediately stop 'shooting'" because they were jeopardising negotiations between Washington and Tehran on a deal to end the regional war. are looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE! Final negotiations on 'Peace' are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way," he wrote on Truth Social.

The war began on 28 February, when Israel and the US launched a joint attack on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other top officials. The hostilities spread quickly across the Middle East, as Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf Arab states hosting US military facilities. Iran also effectively blocked the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway, causing a surge in the price of oil.

Pakistan brokered a ceasefire that began on 7 April to facilitate negotiations on a comprehensive deal to end the war, but there have been sporadic US air strikes on Iran and Iranian drone and missile attacks on neighbouring states since then. Lebanon was drawn into the conflict on 2 March, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in retaliation for Khamenei's assassination. Israel responded with air strikes across Lebanon and a ground invasion of a significant part of the country's south.

The fighting continued after the US-brokered a ceasefire deal between the Israeli and Lebanese governments on 16 April. But in recent weeks, the US has been pressing Israel to scale back its campaign to allow room for a wider deal with Iran, which has demanded that it also cover the conflict in Lebanon. Although Israel has insisted its war against Hezbollah is separate, it has limited its strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs - a stronghold of Hezbollah also known as Dahieh.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.