JERUSALEM/TEHRAN — Israel launched strikes on targets in western and central Iran early Monday after Tehran fired multiple waves of missiles toward northern Israel in the most serious escalation between the two sides since a ceasefire was reached in April.
The Israeli military said the strikes were carried out in response to Iran’s first direct missile attack on Israel since April, after earlier warning that any such action would trigger retaliation.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the missile barrage marked “the beginning of a full week of continuous strikes” against Israel.
Israeli authorities said most of the missiles were intercepted and later informed residents that they could leave protected shelters.
The exchange followed Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Beirut on Sunday, which prompted Iranian threats of retaliation.
Amid the escalating tensions, Iran suspended all incoming flights to Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport until further notice, according to local media reports. The airport had reopened in April after being closed for weeks during the regional conflict.
The renewed hostilities also pushed oil prices higher in Asian trading. Brent crude rose 2.6% to $95.50 a barrel, while US crude gained 2.5% to $92.75 as investors assessed the potential impact on global energy supplies.
US President Donald Trump urged both sides to avoid further escalation and said he had personally advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against retaliatory action.
“The Iranian strikes didn’t hurt anybody,” Trump told Israeli media. “Israel had its strike and Iran had its strike. We don’t need another one.”
Trump said he planned to speak directly with Netanyahu to discourage additional military action and reiterated his belief that a negotiated agreement with Iran remains possible.
Source: Saudi Gazette