Israel struck military targets inside Iran on June 8, 2026, retaliating for a barrage of 11 ballistic missiles that hit northern Israel the day before. The operation marks the first direct Israeli military action against Iran since a US-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 8, making the two-month pause in hostilities look increasingly fragile.
What happened
Israeli forces targeted surface-to-surface missile launch facilities and other military infrastructure across central and western Iran. Israeli officials confirmed the strikes focused on non-energy infrastructure, a notable distinction suggesting a deliberate effort to avoid triggering a global oil supply shock.
The Iranian provocation came first. On June 7, Iran launched 11 ballistic missiles toward Israel’s northern regions, breaking the ceasefire that had held since early April. That ceasefire, brokered by the US, was widely viewed as a tenuous arrangement rather than a durable peace agreement.
US President Trump reportedly urged restraint from Israel to protect ongoing peace efforts.
