Netanyahu says Israel halting Iran strikes for now, warns of 'powerful force' if attacks resume

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel was pausing its airstrikes against Iran for now, but warned that any renewed attack on Israel would be met with a forceful response.

In a video message that day, Netanyahu said Iran had attacked Israel in support of Hezbollah after Israel struck Hezbollah targets in Beirut in retaliation. "I ordered the Israeli military to strike military and economic facilities across Iran," he said.

"Airstrikes on this front have been halted for now, because the terrorist regime in Tehran stopped attacking us after being struck," he said, adding a sharp warning: "If that terrorist regime makes the mistake of attacking us again, we will respond with powerful force."

Netanyahu argued that Iran and Hezbollah are now weaker than ever while Israel is stronger than ever, but said "our struggle against them is not yet over."

"Over the past day, Iran and Hezbollah tried to impose a new equation on us — but that equation is unacceptable," he said. "They thought we would stand by while they attacked Israel from Lebanon and Iran. As long as I am in charge, that will never happen."

Netanyahu also indicated he had conveyed the same message to US President Donald Trump. "Israel has the full right to self-defense and will exercise that right whenever necessary," he said. "I say this to the dear people of Israel, just as I said it to my friend President Donald Trump during our friendly conversation."