Israel and Iran exchanged attacks on Monday for the first time since a ceasefire in the Middle East war took effect two months ago, despite US President Donald Trump calling for restraint.

The flare-up, which also drew in other countries in the region, saw Israel striking Iran after the Islamic republic targeted it in vengeance for an airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, where its proxy Hezbollah holds sway.

It followed weeks of negotiations seeking to bring about a definitive end to the regional war sparked by US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.