Trump urges Netanyahu to avoid retaliation in second phone call

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a second phone call within 24 hours on Monday, according to two Israeli sources quoted by CNN.

The latest conversation took place shortly before Iran announced it was suspending military operations against Israel.

Details of the discussion have not been made public, and Netanyahu has not yet commented publicly on the latest escalation with Tehran.

The phone call came amid growing tensions in the region following exchanges of strikes between Israel and Iran over the weekend.

According to CNN, Trump had already spoken with Netanyahu on Sunday and urged the Israeli leader not to launch a retaliatory strike against Iran.

A US official told CNN that Trump advised Netanyahu to hold off on further military action as diplomatic efforts continued behind the scenes.

Iran earlier said it had suspended military operations but warned it would respond with stronger measures if Israeli attacks continued, including operations in southern Lebanon.

Israel has meanwhile vowed to continue acting against threats linked to Hezbollah and Iranian-backed groups in the region.