Tehran/ Tel Aviv, Jun 8 (UNI) The Middle East edged closer to a wider regional conflict on Monday as Iran launched missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, defying diplomatic efforts by US President Donald Trump to contain the crisis. The exchange of attacks has raised fresh concerns that months of fragile diplomacy is in tatters as fresh military confrontation is underway.
The escalation came after Trump reportedly told Netanyahu that "it's enough" and urged him not to retaliate immediately following Iran's missile attack on Sunday night.
It was the first direct exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran since a ceasefire halted the US-Israel war with Iran in April. Iran's attack followed earlier Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiya.
The latest exchange of attacks threatens to deepen tensions across the region and comes after Trump spoke with Netanyahu, urging him not to respond immediately to Iran's missile barrage. According to media reports, Trump declared, "I call all the shots," suggesting that Netanyahu should refer to Washington's diplomatic efforts.
Iranian state media reported explosions in Tehran, Isfahan, Karaj, and Tabriz. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed that Israel used air-launched ballistic missiles during the attack.
Iran subsequently closed the airspace around Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, the country's main international gateway.
In response to the Israeli strikes, Iran launched a wave of missiles toward Israel on Monday, triggering air raid sirens across parts of the country and raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Israeli military officials claimed that all incoming projectiles were intercepted, though authorities warned that further attacks could not be ruled out.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said Iran launched missiles towards Israel "a short while ago".
"Defense systems are operating to intercept the threat" and members of the public living "in the relevant areas" have been alerted, it added in a statement.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said it had targeted two Israeli air bases in Nevatim and Tel Nof, according to Iranian state media.
According to Iranian military officials, the missile barrage was launched in response to Israel's attack on Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiya. In a televised statement, Iranian central command spokesperson Ibrahim Zolfaghari said Tehran viewed the Israeli operation as crossing a "red line" and accused the United States of enabling Israeli actions through its political support, Al Jazeera reported.
Iran warned that any further Israeli military response would be met with stronger retaliation. Officials described the missile launch as a "warning shot" rather than the beginning of a sustained military campaign, indicating that Tehran's objective was deterrence rather than immediate escalation.
Iranian leaders have repeatedly warned that they would respond if Israel intensified its operations in Lebanon, particularly in Beirut. Officials in Tehran said that while they remain prepared for further confrontation, they continue to support diplomatic efforts and are maintaining communication with regional and international mediators.
The latest confrontation highlights growing tensions surrounding Israel's military campaign in Lebanon and Iran's commitment to supporting its regional allies. Tehran has framed its response as part of a broader effort to protect Lebanon from continued Israeli attacks, while Israel maintains that its operations are necessary for national security and self-defence.
Diplomatic activity intensified immediately after the missile launch. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly held discussions with officials from Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, France, and the United Kingdom, signaling Tehran's desire to keep diplomatic channels open despite the military exchange.
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