Israel launched airstrikes early Monday targeting central and western Iran in response to missile fire from Tehran, attacks that threatened to drag the wider Middle East back into a regional war. Iranian state television reported the sound of explosions being heard in Isfahan, Karaj, Tabriz and Tehran, without immediately elaborating. A witness in Tehran described hearing at least one large blast somewhere to the west of the country's capital city. Iran closed the airspace around Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, the country's main airfield, after the Israeli attack.
Follow our live coverage for the latest updates.12:54 PM, 8 June 2026'Hostile drone' downed over Tehran: Iranian mediaLocal media in Iran said Monday that a "hostile drone" was shot down over the capital Tehran during the new round of fighting with Israel."A hostile drone belonging to the American-Zionist enemy was targeted and destroyed by air defences in the skies over Tehran," the Mehr news agency reported, without elaborating.12:30 PM, 8 June 2026Massive blast heard in TehranA huge blast rocked central Tehran on Monday, an AFP journalist reported, followed by repeated explosions believed to be from air defence systems in the capital.The initial explosion shook the premises of the foreign ministry in central Tehran, where an AFP journalist was attending a weekly press conference."The exact location and source of this explosion are still unknown," local media, including Fars news agency, reported, adding that "simultaneously, air defence was also activated in some parts of Tehran".12:22 PM, 8 June 2026Iran says continuing US exchanges through Pakistani mediatorsIran said Monday that Pakistan's mediation efforts to end the war with the United States were continuing even after fighting resumed with Israel."Diplomatic consultations are naturally continuing in all circumstances," said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.12:20 PM, 8 June 2026Iran says return to hostilities will affect talks with USIran said Monday that the resumption of hostilities in the Middle East war will have consequences for ongoing talks with the United States to reach peace in the region."It is perfectly natural that the diplomatic process initiated to put an end to this imposed war would be affected," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said at a press conference in Tehran attended by AFP.11:57 AM, 8 June 2026Israel army says struck and dismantled 'strategic defence systems' in IranThe Israeli military said Monday it had struck and dismantled Iranian defence systems deployed across several areas in the country."Recently, defence systems were deployed in numerous areas across Iran as part of the regime's efforts to restore its detection and defence capabilities, which were degraded during Operation Roaring Lion," the military said."The strike led to the dismantling of these systems," it said, adding that dozens of warplanes participated in the operation.11:39 AM, 8 June 2026China says hopes Israel, Iran maintain ceasefireChina said it was "deeply concerned" Monday by fresh attacks between Israel and Iran, expressing hope that a fragile truce in the Middle East war would be respected."Resuming hostilities is not in any party's interest," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news briefing, adding: "It is hoped all relevant parties will fulfil their commitment to a ceasefire."11:31 AM, 8 June 2026Iran says US responsible for resumption of hostilities with IsraelIran said Monday that the United States held responsibility for the resumption of fighting with Israel, saying Israel's actions "cannot be separated" from US policy."Without a doubt, as I said, the actions of the Zionist regime in the region cannot be separated from US policies," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said at a press conference in Tehran attended by AFP."No one believes that the Zionist regime would carry out any action without prior coordination and cooperation with the United States," he added.10:39 AM, 8 June 2026Israeli army reports new missile launches from IranThe Israeli army said it has identified a new wave of missiles launched from Iran toward Israeli territory.“Defence systems are working to intercept the threat,” the military said, urging the public to act responsibly and follow all official instructions.Sirens were heard in Tel Aviv as the latest wave of missiles was reported incoming from Iran.10:27 AM, 8 June 2026Yemen's Houthis declare ban on Israeli shipping in Red SeaYemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a missile attack on Israel on Monday and declared a ban on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea, raising the spectre of a return to major disruption on the key route."We declare a complete and total ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea," said a statement from the Houthis' armed forces, which also confirmed the first missile attack on Israel since early April.10:24 AM, 8 June 2026Qatar, Iran discuss US-Iran mediation effortsSheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar received a phone call on Monday from Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to QNA.The two sides reviewed mediation efforts between the United States and Iran, as well as the latest developments in Lebanon.During the call, the Qatari prime minister reaffirmed Qatar’s support for all efforts aimed at containing escalation and reaching a comprehensive agreement to strengthen regional security and stability and achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.09:50 AM, 8 June 2026Iran Guards say struck two air bases in IsraelIran said Monday it had struck Israel's Nevatim and Tel Nof air bases, as the two sides traded fire in the largest flare-up in fighting since a ceasefire took effect in April."The operation was carried out in response to a missile attack launched by the Zionist regime... against several radar sites in three different places" in Iran, the country's Revolutionary Guards, the ideological wing of Iran's army, said in a statement.09:31 AM, 8 June 2026Middle East 'does not need an escalation': EU top diplomatEU top diplomat Kaja Kallas urged calm Monday after Iran and Israel traded strikes, testing a fragile truce and threatening hopes for a deal to end the Middle East war."Overnight, we have seen escalation again. I think the region does not need an escalation, but actually that parties sit down to a negotiation table and agree," Kallas said.09:18 AM, 8 June 2026Israel military says struck Iran petrochemical complexIranian media on Monday said Israel had struck a petrochemical company in southwestern Iran, as the warring countries traded fire hours after US President Donald Trump called for restraint."The Zionist enemy has carried out an air attack on the Karun Petrochemical Company in Mahshahr," local media posted on Telegram.It quoted a local law enforcement official as saying that Israeli projectiles struck the facility.State news agency IRNA reported that the special petrochemical economic zone which hosts the company had evacuated "its daytime employees... following an aerial attack by the hostile Zionist enemy".Karoon petrochemical company was founded in 2002-2003 as the first "knowledge based" petrochemical company of Iran.It produces more than 200,000 tonnes of petrochemical products annually according to the figures published on its website.Israel and Iran traded fire hours after US President Donald Trump called on Israel to refrain from retaliating against Tehran's missiles.08:56 AM, 8 June 2026Israeli army says identified new missiles from Iran
