Israel carried out airstrikes on central and western Iran on Monday, appearing to disregard calls for restraint from Donald Trump following an Iranian missile response. The action raises fears of broader regional conflict. This marks the first direct exchange of strikes between the two nations since a ceasefire halted earlier fighting in April. Iran’s missiles targeted northern Israel in reply to prior Israeli operations near Beirut. The Israeli strikes occurred hours after Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay retaliation, stating he controlled decisions on the matter. Iranian media reported blasts in Tehran, Isfahan, Karaj and Tabriz, with officials noting the use of air-launched ballistic missiles. Tehran closed airspace near its main international airport. The White House offered no comment on coordination. Saudi Arabia activated missile alerts near a base hosting US troops, while Israel intercepted a projectile from Yemen. Yemen’s Houthis, aligned with Iran, have targeted Israel previously. All Iranian missiles were intercepted or landed in open areas, per Israeli reports. Israel’s military said it hit a command site in Beirut’s southern suburbs after Hezbollah fired toward its territory, killing two and wounding twenty in Lebanon. Iran accused the US of approving the Beirut operation and declared American and Israeli targets legitimate. Trump expressed displeasure with the Lebanon strikes and sought Iranian de-escalation. He reportedly convinced Netanyahu to pause immediate response but later affirmed he sets policy. Oil prices rose sharply while Asian markets declined. Israel had ordered evacuations from Tyre in southern Lebanon amid ongoing clashes that began in March.
