Israel launched airstrikes on Iran after Iranian forces fired missiles at northern Israel in the first direct exchange of fire between the two countries since a ceasefire agreement on April 8. The escalation has intensified fears of a broader regional conflict in the Middle East.
The Israeli strikes targeted Iranian military positions, including defense systems across multiple areas. Iranian state television reported explosions in Isfahan, Karaj, Tabriz and Tehran. The Israeli military said it had struck an Iranian petrochemical complex and dismantled Iranian defense systems. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Israel used air-launched ballistic missiles in the Monday morning attack.
The strikes came despite efforts by Donald Trump to prevent Israeli retaliation. A senior US official told the Associated Press that Trump had called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to urge him not to respond immediately after the Iranian missile attack. Trump said on his Truth Social platform that "Israel and Iran must immediately stop 'shooting'." However, Netanyahu proceeded with the strikes, marking a notable moment of tension between the two leaders.
Iranian officials rejected the idea that Netanyahu acted without US approval. An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said, "No one believes that the Zionist regime would carry out any action without prior coordination and cooperation with the United States." Some Iranian analysts claimed to have video evidence showing US involvement in the strikes.
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels also participated in the escalation, announcing a missile attack on Israel on Monday, their first since early April. The Houthis declared a complete ban on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea, raising concerns about disruption to a critical global trade route.
The exchanges represent the most serious direct military confrontation between Israel and Iran in recent years. The attacks have sent shockwaves through financial markets, with crude oil prices rising sharply. Brent crude jumped 3.50 dollars to 96.59 dollars per barrel, while stocks in Asia fell sharply in early trading.
The escalation threatens to derail ongoing diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran. Trust between the two nations remains minimal, and Iranian negotiators face pressure from hardline factions within their government to abandon peace talks entirely. Trump has claimed that a deal could be reached within days, but the continued military exchanges cast doubt on those prospects.
The situation highlights the fragile state of regional stability, with multiple parties now engaged in direct military confrontation. Neither side has shown signs of backing down, and the involvement of additional actors like the Houthis suggests the conflict could expand further. International observers are closely monitoring developments as the possibility of a return to full-scale regional warfare looms larger.