Israel said it carried out airstrikes on targets in central and western Iran early on Monday in response to Iranian missile attacks.Explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz and Karaj.Iran temporarily closed the airspace around Tehran's main international airport following the attacks.Earlier, Israel’s IDF said in a post on social media they had identified missiles “launched from Iran toward Israel”, while “defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat”.“Sirens were sounded in several areas across the country following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward Israel,” they added.The strikes mark the first attacks on Israel from Iran since the April ceasefire took effect. An unnamed Israeli official told Axios that Israel plans to respond.Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the Israeli army must stop its attacks on Lebanon, and if it expands its attacks or responds to Iran's actions, it will face “more crushing and regretful blows”.“We had previously warned that if the crimes in the Dahieh area of Beirut expand, we will attack targets in the occupied territories,” the IRGC top joint military command said.Israeli ambassador to US defends strikes on IranIsrael's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, has defended his country's latest strikes on Iran, saying “no self-respecting country” would accept missile attacks on its territory.Writing on X, Leiter said the Israeli operation was aimed at Iran's surface-to-surface missile launch sites and other non-energy infrastructure.“The people of Lebanon have rejected Iran’s proxy, Hizballah, and have told Iran to get out of their country,” Leiter said.“If Hizballah fires at Israel, its command centers in the Dahiya will be hit hard,” he said, referring to a southern district of Beirut that is widely recognised as a Hezbollah stronghold.“This has nothing to do with Iran. Everyone has had enough of this maniacal Iranian regime.” Maroosha Muzaffar8 June 2026 05:09Explosions in Tehran, Isfahan as Israel launches attacksIsrael carried out airstrikes on targets in central and western Iran early on Monday in response to Iranian missile launches against Israel.Explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz and Karaj.Iran temporarily closed the airspace around Tehran's main international airport following the attacks.The strikes came despite reports that US president Donald Trump had urged Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate immediately, as Washington continues to pursue diplomatic efforts with Tehran. The latest exchange has raised fears of a broader regional conflict. Maroosha Muzaffar8 June 2026 04:16Saudi Arabia issues warning over potential danger in Al-Kharj governorateSaudi Arabia's civil defence earlier issued an alert in Al-Kharj governorate, warning residents of a potential danger in the area. But later, it said that the “danger has passed” in Al-Kharj governorate.Authorities had urged people to remain indoors and avoid leaving their shelters until the threat had passed. Maroosha Muzaffar8 June 2026 04:08James Reynolds8 June 2026 03:00In focus: Why the loss of Oscar-nominated Persepolis creator Marjane Satrapi is a tragedy for IranThe French-Iranian filmmaker shed light on the untold lives of Iranian women following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.As the US-Iran conflict shows no end in sight, Maira Butt reports on why Satrapi’s powerful voice will be missed:James Reynolds8 June 2026 02:00Lammy admits ‘arrangements can be made’ amid calls for prisoner swap to free British couple locked up in IranDavid Lammy has admitted that “arrangements can be made” in response to calls for a prisoner swap to free a British couple imprisoned in Iran.James Reynolds8 June 2026 01:00Israel strikes Beirut's southern suburbs days after ceasefire agreementIsrael struck the southern Beirut suburbs on Sunday just days after a ceasefire agreement in Washington went into effect.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the strikes were in retaliation for Hezbollah firing toward northern Israel earlier, and that the attacks targeted “command centers” in the sprawling urban neighborhoods. Hezbollah did not immediately claim responsibility for firing at Israel.The strikes come after the Lebanese and Israeli governments in Washington renewed a ceasefire agreement in ongoing talks that Beirut hopes will bring an end to the war across the country. There was no immediate word of casualties.James Reynolds8 June 2026 00:00As it happened: Israel vows to respond to Iranian missile attackThe Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said they targeted Israel’s Ramat David Air Base in response to an earlier Israeli attack on the outskirts of Beirut in Lebanon.They added that any Israeli response would prompt “more crushing and regretful blows”, as the head of the IDF indicated the military was ready to respond as soon as the order was given.Donald Trump urged Benjamin Netanyahu not to respond and risk another major escalation. He said the strikes resulted in no casualties.A streak of light illuminates the sky during a missile attack from Iran towards Israel, as seen from Jerusalem (Reuters)In comments to Axios, the president cautioned: “Hopefully Israel is not going to retaliate. If Bibi strikes them back it’s just gonna keep going like the last 47 years, or the last 3000 years.”“Each of them had their fun. Israel had its strike and Iran had its strike. We don't need another one,” he added.Speaking to the Financial Times, he added, “I call the shots. He [Netanyahu] doesn’t call the shots”. He said that the Israeli prime minister will have “no choice” but to accept a deal with Iran.Asked what would happen if a deal failed “on its merits”, Trump said he would consider a commando raid on Iran.Separately, he told Fox News he was “not happy” with Israel’s strikes on Beirut, signalling a widening rift with Israel as he tries to wind down the unpopular war in the Middle East.James Reynolds7 June 2026 23:42As it happens: Israel vows to respond to Iranian missile attackThe Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said they targeted Israel’s Ramat David Air Base in response to an earlier Israeli attack on the outskirts of Beirut in Lebanon.They added that any Israeli response would prompt “more crushing and regretful blows”, as the head of the IDF indicated the military was ready to respond as soon as the order was given.Donald Trump urged Benjamin Netanyahu not to respond and risk another major escalation. He said the strikes resulted in no casualties.A streak of light illuminates the sky during a missile attack from Iran towards Israel, as seen from Jerusalem (Reuters)In comments to Axios, the president cautioned: “Hopefully Israel is not going to retaliate. If Bibi strikes them back it’s just gonna keep going like the last 47 years, or the last 3000 years.”“Each of them had their fun. Israel had its strike and Iran had its strike. We don't need another one,” he added.Speaking to the Financial Times, he added, “I call the shots. He [Netanyahu] doesn’t call the shots”. He said that the Israeli prime minister will have “no choice” but to accept a deal with Iran.Asked what would happen if a deal failed “on its merits”, Trump said he would consider a commando raid on Iran.Separately, he told Fox News he was “not happy” with Israel’s strikes on Beirut, signalling a widening rift with Israel as he tries to wind down the unpopular war in the Middle East.James Reynolds7 June 2026 23:42Trump says he still 'calls the shots' amid rift with NetanyahuIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have no choice but to accept whatever deal the US negotiates with Iran, Donald Trump told the Financial Times in an interview published on Sunday, because Trump “calls the shots”.“He won’t have any choice,” Trump was quoted as saying.James Reynolds7 June 2026 23:34