Israel launched air strikes on targets in western and central Iran on Monday after Tehran fired missiles toward northern Israel, marking the first direct exchange of fire between the two regional rivals since a ceasefire took effect two months ago.
The renewed hostilities have raised fresh fears that the fragile truce holding across parts of the region could unravel, potentially dragging the Middle East into a wider conflict.
Iran said its missile barrage was only the beginning of what it described as “a full week of continuous strikes,” signalling that further military action could follow.
The latest escalation began after Israeli warplanes struck Hezbollah-linked targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday.
The Israeli military said the operation was carried out in response to rockets allegedly fired into Israeli territory by the Iran-backed Lebanese group.
Tehran reacted by launching missiles toward northern Israel, prompting a swift Israeli response with air strikes inside Iranian territory.
The exchange marks a significant deterioration in regional tensions at a time when international mediators have been struggling to preserve a broader ceasefire arrangement involving Iran and its allies.
The developments also appear to have undermined efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to prevent a new round of fighting.
Speaking before Israel’s retaliation, Trump said he planned to personally urge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show restraint.
“I’m going to call him right now and tell him not to retaliate,” Trump said on Sunday.
Despite those appeals, Israeli forces proceeded with strikes against Iranian targets, underscoring the growing difficulty Washington faces in containing the conflict.
Military officials in both countries have yet to provide full details of the damage caused by the latest attacks, but the confrontation has already heightened concerns that the region could be heading toward a broader and more dangerous phase of the war.
With Iran promising additional strikes and Israel signalling readiness to respond, diplomatic efforts to restore calm now face one of their most serious tests since the ceasefire came into force.
