In a fresh escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel on Sunday, marking its first direct attack since the April 8 ceasefire between the two countries. Israel responded hours later with strikes on Iranian military targets, despite reported efforts by US President Donald Trump to prevent a new round of hostilities.
The flare-up came after Israel carried out strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs on Sunday, drawing condemnation from Iran. Tehran had warned that any attack affecting its interests or allies would be met with a response.
"Should these acts of aggression be repeated, the responses will be broader in scope and will encompass all American and Zionist targets throughout the region," Iran's Revolutionary Guard said in a statement following the Israeli strike.
According to the Associated Press, air raid sirens sounded across several parts of Israel after the Iranian missile launch, sending millions of residents to shelters. The Israeli military said its air defence systems intercepted the incoming missiles, although explosions were reported in northern areas of the country.
The Israeli strike on Beirut came just days after the Lebanese and Israeli governments reached a ceasefire understanding during US-mediated talks. However, Hezbollah rejected the arrangement, while Iran continued to insist that any lasting agreement must include a complete halt to fighting in Lebanon.
Early Monday, Israel launched retaliatory strikes targeting Iranian military installations. According to the Iran's state broadcaster, Tehran had closed its western airspace, anticipating a possible response from Israel.
The operation proceeded despite warnings from Trump, who reportedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid actions that could jeopardise ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the three-month-long conflict.
According to Axios, Trump spoke with Netanyahu shortly after Iran's missile attack in an attempt to prevent further escalation. The US president also called on Iran to return to negotiations.
"The Iranian strikes didn't hurt anybody. Hopefully Israel is not going to retaliate," Trump told Axios. "If Bibi strikes them back, it's just going to keep going like the last 47 years, or the last 3,000 years."
The latest exchange of fire has heightened fears that the fragile ceasefire could unravel completely, threatening to widen the conflict.
