Military tensions escalated dramatically in the Middle East Monday as Israel conducted airstrikes against Iran following missile attacks from Tehran, creating the most significant hostilities since a ceasefire agreement in April and threatening to derail ongoing peace negotiations.
State television in Iran confirmed that explosions were audible in Isfahan, Tabriz and Tehran, though officials provided no immediate additional details. The Iranian missile barrage marked the first such attack on Israel since the fragile truce began in early April, heightening fears of renewed intense combat.
The Iranian response came after Israel conducted an unannounced strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs Sunday, going against Washington’s recent appeals to avoid escalation. Israeli officials stated that the Iranian-backed Hezbollah had earlier targeted northern Israel.
Missile warning sirens were activated Monday morning in Saudi Arabia near an air base housing U.S. military personnel.
The Israeli military action appeared to contradict President Donald Trump, who had advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against further retaliation.
In a telephone conversation with The Financial Times prior to Israel’s Iran strike, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he was directing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military strategy.
‘He won’t have any choice,’ Trump told the newspaper in a telephone interview. ‘I call the shots. I call all the shots. He (Netanyahu) doesn’t call the shots.’
Additional developments include:
Israeli forces reported detecting a missile from Yemen aimed at their territory Monday. Warning sirens activated throughout Israel following the Yemeni missile threat.
The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels operate from Yemen. While the Houthis have targeted Israel during the Israel-Hamas conflict and afterward, they have not been fully engaged in the Iran conflict.
Saudi Arabia activated missile warning sirens Monday morning near an air base hosting U.S. military forces. Saudi government media confirmed the alert in the Al Kharj governorate, location of Prince Sultan Air Base.
Officials provided no further information. The warning followed Israel’s strikes on Iranian targets.
In his interview with The Financial Times before Israel’s Iran operation, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he was controlling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military decisions.
‘He won’t have any choice,’ Trump told the newspaper in a telephone interview. ‘I call the shots. I call all the shots. He (Netanyahu) doesn’t call the shots.’
The White House has not responded to Sunday inquiries regarding the strikes or whether they were coordinated with U.S. officials.
Iran shut down airspace surrounding Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, the nation’s primary aviation facility, following the Israeli attack.
Israeli officials confirmed strikes on central and Western Iran after receiving missile fire, while Tehran reported explosions heard across multiple cities.
