JERUSALEM/TEHRAN: Israel and Iran exchanged fresh military strikes early Monday, with both sides claiming to have targeted strategic sites, in the most serious escalation since an April ceasefire halted months of direct hostilities between the regional rivals.
The latest confrontation began after Iran launched multiple waves of missiles towards Israel overnight, prompting air raid sirens across the country and forcing authorities to suspend classes nationwide.
Hours later, Israel said its air force carried out strikes against military targets in western and central Iran, including facilities at a petrochemical complex in the southwestern city of Mahshahr.
The exchange marked the first direct Iranian missile attack on Israel since a ceasefire agreement took effect on April 8, ending a period of intense conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
Iran Launches Missiles After Beirut Strike
Iran’s missile barrage came hours after Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs, targeting what it described as Hezbollah facilities in the Dahiyeh district, a stronghold of the Iran-backed Lebanese group.
According to Lebanon’s health ministry, the strike killed at least two people and wounded 20 others, including women and children.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the missile attack on Israel was a warning against further military action and threatened broader retaliation if Israeli strikes continued.
The IRGC said repeated attacks would be met with a wider response, while senior Iranian officials accused Israel of escalating tensions and jeopardising regional stability.
The April ceasefire had largely halted direct military exchanges between Iran and its adversaries, but recent attacks in Lebanon and elsewhere have raised concerns about its durability.
Israel Says It Hit Military Targets Across Iran
Following the Iranian missile launches, Israel announced a series of air strikes against targets inside Iran.
The Israeli military said its air force struck military sites in western and central Iran before later reporting attacks on several targets at the Mahshahr petrochemical complex in Khuzestan province.
“A short while ago, the Israeli Air Force struck military targets belonging to the Iranian regime in western and central Iran,” the military said.
Iranian state television reported explosions in Tehran, Tabriz and Isfahan, though authorities did not immediately provide details regarding casualties or damage.
“Several explosions were heard in Tehran, Tabriz and Isfahan,” state media reported.
Israeli officials said the country’s air defence systems had intercepted multiple incoming missile salvos during the night.
Israel Tightens Security Measures
As the attacks unfolded, Israel’s Home Front Command ordered schools across the country to close and imposed heightened security restrictions.
“Following an assessment of the situation, the Home Front Command has decided to modify the instructions and place the entire country under a restricted activity level,” the military said.
Officials said educational activities would remain suspended while security assessments continued.
Israeli authorities were still evaluating the scale of the Iranian attack and monitoring for further launches.
Ceasefire Faces Major Test
The latest exchange has placed the April 8 ceasefire under significant strain and renewed fears of a broader regional conflict involving Iran, Israel, Hezbollah and other allied groups.
Diplomatic efforts by regional and international actors have sought to preserve the truce, but repeated cross-border attacks and retaliatory strikes have increased concerns that the ceasefire could unravel.
Neither side indicated any immediate willingness to de-escalate, while military and political leaders in both countries signalled readiness for further action if attacks continue.
