Jerusalem: Israel and Iran engaged in a fierce missile exchange early this morning as the Israeli military launched attacks on military targets in western and central Iran. This was in retaliation for Iran's large-scale missile strikes in northern Israel, marking the first direct confrontation since a ceasefire was reached in early April. The U.S. leader contacted the Israeli Prime Minister, urging a halt to further attacks to avoid compromising the final peace agreement with Iran.
According to Thai News Agency, Iranian state media reported explosions in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, and the Karaj area during the early hours. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) indicated that Israel used air-launched missiles in the attacks. While there are no immediate reports of damage, Iranian authorities closed the airspace around Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran. The Israeli military stated that its attacks were focused solely on military infrastructure. Initial reports from Iranian firefighters suggested that residential and urban areas were not directly impacted.
This new wave of violence follows an Israeli airstrike on the Dahiyeh district south of Beirut, Lebanon, late last night, targeting a Hezbollah command center. This attack resulted in at least two fatalities and more than 20 injuries. It was the first Israeli assault on the Lebanese capital since the U.S. announced a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel last week. In response, Iran launched several missiles toward northern Israel, which Israel claims were intercepted without causing injuries. However, schools, beaches, and public gatherings in at-risk areas were closed as a precaution. This escalation occurs after weeks of negotiations to resolve the conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.
The IRGC announced that the missile attack on northern Israel was the start of a week-long series of retaliatory strikes following Israel's airstrikes south of Beirut, Lebanon. Iran plans to launch continuous missile and drone strikes against Israel until Israel ceases its military operations.
Mohammad Bagher Galibaf, Iran's Speaker of the National Assembly and head of the peace negotiating team, asserted that U.S. military bases and Israeli assets are legitimate targets due to hostile actions and violations of agreements regarding Lebanon. Iran has consistently maintained that any peace agreement with the U.S. must include a ceasefire in Lebanon.
An Israeli military spokesman stated that Iran had made a grave mistake in attacking Israel, although the statement did not clarify whether Israel intended to retaliate with an attack on Iran. It was confirmed, however, that Israel would continue operations throughout Lebanon to halt Hezbollah's attacks into northern Israel.
This incident unfolded despite U.S. President Donald Trump having spoken directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, requesting a halt to the retaliatory attack. The U.S. and Iran are currently engaged in final peace negotiations to end the conflict, which has persisted for over 100 days. Trump also cautioned Iran to cease missile launches and return to the negotiating table.