The fragile ceasefire that had largely held between Israel and Iran since April came under renewed strain after both countries exchanged military strikes, raising fears that the Middle East could once again slide into a broader regional conflict.
Israel launched a series of airstrikes early Monday against targets in central and western Iran, hours after Tehran fired missiles at Israeli territory in what Iranian officials described as retaliation for Israeli attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs. The latest exchange marked the most serious escalation between the two countries since the ceasefire was announced in the spring.
According to the Israeli military, its air force targeted military sites associated with the Iranian government.
“A short while ago, the Israeli Air Force struck military targets belonging to the Iranian terror regime in western and central Iran,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a brief statement issued as the operation began.
Israeli officials initially provided few details regarding the specific targets or the scale of the attack. However, Iranian media soon reported explosions in several major cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, and Karaj.
