It remained to be seen whether the attack would ignite a regional war or provide the U.S. and Iran with an off-ramp from their intensifying confrontation.

Three people have been killed in an Iranian air strike on southern Israel, moments before a ceasefire was due to come into effect. The Telegraph understands there are multiple casualties in Beersheba, the largest city in the Negev desert. It comes as Donald Trump declared on Monday night that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran had been agreed.

Israel is looking to wrap up its campaign in Iran soon and has passed the message on to the United States, according to three Israeli officials, though much depends on its adversary's next move.