In a first since the ceasefire in April. Iran and Israel traded firing dragging the middle east war into a regional conflict. In response to missile attacks by Tehran, Israel launched air strikes targeting central and western Iran on Monday morning. Sources said, sound of explosions being heard in Isfahan, Karaj, Tabriz and Tehran. However, the attacks were confirmed by the Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
In a statement, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said that it has conducted strikes in western and central Iran.”The Israeli Air Force struck military targets belonging to the Iranian terror regime in western and central Iran a short while ago,” it posted on X.
According to Israeli military, three barrages were intercepted by its missiles. Tel Aviv has said Tehran has committed a “grave mistake” and vowed to give a “powerful” response to the attacks.
The attack by Iran were in response to Tel Aviv’s revived attempts in Beirut, which killed 2 and injured 20. Iran has now closed its airspace around Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, the country’s main airfield, after the Israeli attack. Ali Abdollahi, chief commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, warned that Israel will face more “crushing and regret-inducing blows” if it expands its attacks on southern Lebanon and Dahieh district south of the Lebanese capital, Beirut or responds to Iran’s action.
Subsequently, Iran also targeted the headquarters of terrorist groups in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. The Kurds in Iraq have been accused by Iran of serving the Western or Israeli interests.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has urged Israel to exercise restraint, it would only jeopardise the ongoing negotiations. He also asked Iran to return to the negotiating table. “We’re very close. I would say an agreement would be signed on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of this coming week. And now this takes place,” Trump told reporters. “You’ve shot your missiles, that’s enough. Get back to the table and make a deal.”
While tensions escalate in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia also sounded a missile alert in area near the Prince Sultan Airbase, which hosts the US forces, reports revealed. However, Iran has denied its involvement in the attack.