“Significantly harder – more devastating”

Iran and Israel pause attacks. 

Felix Wilow, 

Nivette Dawod

Updated 14.49 | Published 13.25

Iran and Israel pause attacks.

Both countries, however, state that they will respond to new threats.

If southern Lebanon is attacked, Iran's response will be "significantly harsher and more devastating", state media reported.

Iran's armed forces claim that they will end the new wave of attacks on Israel, which came after Israel attacked the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut yesterday.

"It is hereby announced that the armed forces' military operations will cease," a statement sent out by the state news agency Fars on Monday said.

At the same time, a serious caveat comes:

"More devastating measures"

"If the aggression and hostilities continue, including in southern Lebanon, significantly harsher and more devastating measures will be taken."

The attacks between the countries are the first since the ceasefire was agreed on April 8.

They occur despite US President Donald Trump calling for calm on both sides.

After Iran's attacks on Sunday, Israel responded on Monday morning with airstrikes on several cities in Iran, including the capital Tehran.

Both countries then stated that they were ready for a longer period of escalation.

Remains of an Iranian missile in Israel. Photo: Mahmoud Illean/AP

"Immediate ceasefire"

Donald Trump continued his line on Monday:

"Israel and Iran must immediately stop 'shooting'," he wrote on Truth Social.

In a later post, he also stated that both sides "are striving for an immediate ceasefire."

And a moment after Iran's new statement, a response finally came from Israel.

At 2:30 p.m., Israeli Channel 12 reported that Israel will also cease its attacks on Iran.

But there are also caveats: If the Lebanese Hezbollah militia attacks Israeli cities, the Israeli military will resume attacks on Beirut's suburbs, the channel reports.

          

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