Iran and Israel Exchange Missile Strikes Amid Escalating Conflict

Iran Fires Waves of Missiles at Israel After Israeli Airstrike on Beirut

The Israeli military confirmed on Sunday that Iran launched ballistic missiles at northern Israel, marking the first such attack since the April ceasefire paused the U.S.-backed war with Iran. The missile barrage followed an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, escalating tensions in the Middle East and raising fears of a broader conflict.

According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), defensive systems intercepted the missiles, with citizens later allowed to leave shelters. Schools nationwide were closed on Monday as a precaution. The IDF stated it had been on “high alert” following the Israeli attack on Beirut, which targeted Hezbollah positions. “A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the military said in a statement.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed launching ballistic missiles at Ramat David Air Base, located 20 kilometers from Haifa. The IRGC described the Israeli air base as the “source of aggressions” against southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs. The attack comes amid heightened regional instability, with both sides exchanging accusations of escalation.

Israeli military officials condemned the Iranian strikes, with IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin calling it a “grave mistake.” Defrin noted that the IDF Chief of Staff was assessing the attacks and “approving plans for the future.” The military reiterated its commitment to operations in Lebanon, stating it was “prepared for the possibility of additional firing.”

In response, the Israeli military launched retaliatory strikes on Iran, targeting “military targets in the western and central region of Iran,” according to CNN. Explosions were reported in several cities, including Tehran. The strikes followed an Israeli airstrike on Beirut that killed at least 20 people, including senior Hezbollah commanders, according to Lebanese officials.

The U.S. has urged restraint, with President Donald Trump reportedly instructing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid retaliating against Iran. A U.S. official stated Trump told Netanyahu to “hold off on retaliating,” while Trump himself criticized the Iranian strikes on Fox News, saying they “are not going to help” and urging Tehran to “get back to the table and make a deal.”

Iran has also threatened to block the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical maritime route, if Israel escalates its attacks. The strait, located at the southern end of the Red Sea, is a vital shipping lane for global trade, with nearly 15% of global maritime traffic passing through it. Iranian state media cited a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as making the threat, though no immediate action was reported.

The conflict has intensified concerns about a potential return to open warfare between Iran and Israel, which had been largely contained since the April truce. Analysts note that the recent exchanges highlight the fragility of the ceasefire, with both sides accusing each other of violations. The U.S. has been mediating talks to prevent further escalation, but the latest strikes complicate diplomatic efforts.

Regional allies have also weighed in. Lebanon’s government condemned the Israeli strikes on Beirut, while Gulf states urged de-escalation. The United Nations has called for “immediate restraint” to prevent a wider conflict.

As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on whether the attacks will trigger a cycle of retaliation or if diplomatic channels can prevent further violence. For now, the Middle East teeters on the edge of renewed conflict, with both Iran and Israel signaling readiness to respond to further provocations.

Source: Wall Street Journal, CNN, Al Jazeera, BBC