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.

Tehran had warned of retaliation after Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs without warning in defiance of Washington’s request days ago to stand down

Tehran had warned of retaliation after Israel on Sunday struck Beirut’s southern suburbs without warning, in defiance of Washington’s request days ago to stand down.