The United States and Israel have intensified military operations against Iran following a series of direct exchanges of fire, raising concerns about a return to full-scale regional conflict. Israel launched airstrikes on Iran after Iranian forces fired missiles at northern Israel, marking the first direct military exchange between the two countries since a ceasefire agreement in April.
The Israeli military struck Iranian targets including a petrochemical complex and defense systems across multiple locations. State media reported explosions in Isfahan, Karaj, Tabriz and Tehran, though officials provided no details on the extent of damage. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted two Israeli military bases in what it called Operation Victory, using air-launched ballistic missiles in the attack.
The escalation comes amid diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Donald Trump had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate immediately after the Iranian missile attack, according to a senior U.S. official. Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that "Israel and Iran must immediately stop 'shooting'." However, Israeli officials proceeded with strikes despite Trump's apparent preference for restraint.
Iranian officials rejected suggestions that Israel acted without U.S. approval. Esmaeil Baqaei, a foreign ministry spokesperson, stated that "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 video evidence showed U.S. involvement in the Israeli strikes, pointing to the launch of cruise missiles from the eastern Mediterranean.
The conflict has expanded beyond Israeli-Iranian tensions. Yemen's Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, announced a complete ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea and declared a missile attack on Israel, the first since early April. The group warned they would target Israeli-affiliated ships in the region.
The renewed hostilities threaten ongoing peace negotiations. Trump has claimed a deal could be reached within days, but Iranian hardliners in parliament have pressured negotiators to abandon talks, while others argue certain aspects of any agreement lack clarity.
The escalation has already affected global markets. Brent crude oil jumped $3.50 to $96.59 a barrel following the strikes, while Asian stock markets fell sharply in early trading. The targeting of military and commercial operations in crowded maritime zones raises concerns about unintended consequences and broader economic disruption.
International observers warn that the current trajectory increases the risk of miscalculation. Previous rounds of military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran have brought the region to the brink of wider conflict, and calls for restraint from international partners have intensified as both sides demonstrate willingness to conduct operations in sensitive areas where civilian and military vessels operate in close proximity.