IRIA News

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Israel launched airstrikes in central and western Iran on June 8, 2026, marking a significant escalation in Middle East tensions after Iran fired missiles at Israel for the first time since the April ceasefire.

The Israeli military announced that its air force had conducted strikes against military targets belonging to what it described as the Iranian regime. Explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, including Isfahan, Karaj, Tabriz, and Tehran, according to Iranian state media.

Iran subsequently closed the airspace around Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, the country’s main international gateway.

“A short while ago, the Israeli Air Force struck military targets belonging to the Iranian terror regime in western and central Iran,” the Israeli military said in a brief statement issued as the operation began.

The latest exchange of fire follows a dramatic escalation that began on Sunday when Israel launched airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, an area known as Dahiyeh that serves as a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.

The strikes were the first Israeli attacks on the Beirut area since the United States announced a truce proposal for Lebanon last week.

Iran responded by launching missiles toward Israel, warning that any expansion of Israeli operations in Lebanon would trigger renewed hostilities despite the ceasefire reached earlier this year.

Iran Launches Missiles at Israel

Israeli authorities said air raid sirens sounded across several areas of the country after missiles were detected heading toward Israeli territory.

“A short while ago, sirens were sounded in several areas across the country, following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel,” the Israeli military said.

According to Israeli military officials, Iran fired 11 ballistic missiles. Israel stated that all of the missiles were intercepted by its air defense systems and that no casualties were reported.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the missile attack targeted Ramat David Airbase in northern Israel. The organization described the strike as a warning and linked it directly to Israel’s attacks on Beirut.

In a statement carried by Iranian media, the IRGC said it had targeted “the Ramat David Airbase, the source of the acts of aggression” against civilians in Lebanon.

Iranian officials described the missile barrage as the beginning of a renewed military campaign if Israeli operations continue. Iranian state media reported that the IRGC characterized the attack as “the beginning of a full week of continuous strikes.”

The missile attack marked the first direct Iranian strike on Israel since the broader ceasefire took effect in April. While Hezbollah had continued launching attacks during the truce period, Tehran had largely refrained from direct military action against Israel.

Israeli Response Despite US Pressure

Israeli military leaders quickly signaled that retaliation would follow. Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said the armed forces would “strike the enemy with force as soon as the green light is given.”

Hours later, Israeli aircraft launched strikes deep inside Iran, targeting military facilities and missile-related infrastructure. Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter defended the operation, stating that no country would tolerate ballistic missile attacks against its territory.

“Everyone has had enough of this maniacal Iranian regime,” Leiter said, adding that Israel was targeting missile launch sites and related infrastructure while avoiding Iran’s energy sector.

The exchange highlighted growing differences between Israel and the United States regarding the pace of military escalation.

U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate following Iran’s missile attack. According to multiple reports, Trump spoke with Netanyahu by telephone for nearly 30 minutes on Sunday.

“I am going to call Bibi right now and tell him not to retaliate,” Trump was quoted as saying. “Israel had its strike and Iran had its strike. We don’t need another one.”

Trump also emphasized that ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran remained a priority. “It’s not going to have any impact on the deal,” Trump said regarding the latest violence. “I call the shots. I call all the shots. He doesn’t call the shots.”

According to U.S. officials, Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that further military action could jeopardize efforts to reach an agreement with Iran.

Iran says Israel crossed ‘all red lines’

Iranian officials accused Israel of provoking the latest confrontation through its actions in Lebanon. Iran’s Commander of Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters Major General Ali Abdollahi said Israel had crossed “all red lines” by attacking Beirut and expanding operations in southern Lebanon.

He said, “Despite previous warnings from the Islamic Republic of Iran, the child-killing Zionist regime has targeted the suburbs of Beirut by crossing all red lines and increasing attacks in southern Lebanon.”

“We had previously warned that if the crime in the suburbs of Beirut spreads, we will attack targets in the occupied territories,” the statement said. The commander added that Israel must halt attacks on southern Lebanon and Beirut’s suburbs or face more severe retaliation.

“If it expands its attacks on that region or responds to Iran’s actions, it will face more crushing and regrettable blows, and destructive attacks will begin against the regime and its supporters,” the statement warned.

Iran has consistently argued that any permanent agreement to end the broader regional conflict must also include a halt to Israeli military operations in Lebanon. Tehran views the wars in Iran and Lebanon as interconnected and has repeatedly warned that attacks on Hezbollah strongholds could undermine ceasefire efforts.

Iranian officials also stated that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had authorized the missile strike in response to Israel’s attacks on Beirut.

Ceasefire Negotiations Face Renewed Uncertainty

The latest military exchanges come at a delicate moment for U.S.-Iran diplomacy. For weeks, Washington and Tehran have been engaged in negotiations aimed at transforming the fragile April ceasefire into a broader agreement that could formally end the conflict.

Trump has repeatedly stated that both sides are close to reaching a deal. However, fighting involving Hezbollah and Israel has complicated those efforts.

Since March, Israel has maintained military operations in southern Lebanon, where it says Hezbollah continues to pose a security threat. Hezbollah, meanwhile, has insisted it will not disarm unless Israel halts attacks and withdraws from Lebanese territory.

Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf recently warned that both Israeli assets and U.S. bases could become legitimate targets if hostilities continue.

The latest violence has reinforced concerns that any new escalation could derail diplomatic efforts and trigger a broader regional war involving multiple actors across the Middle East.

Markets React to Growing Conflict

The renewed hostilities immediately affected global energy markets. Brent crude oil futures rose more than 3 percent in early Monday trading, climbing above $96 per barrel as investors reacted to concerns over regional stability and energy security.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a major source of concern for international markets. The strategic waterway handles roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Although efforts have been underway to ease tensions surrounding maritime traffic, renewed military exchanges between Israel and Iran could complicate those discussions.

Meanwhile, Israeli air defense systems were also activated after a missile was reportedly launched from Yemen toward Israeli territory. The launch marked the first attack from Yemen since the April ceasefire.

As of now, both Israel and Iran appear determined to maintain pressure while avoiding immediate large-scale escalation. However, with direct strikes now occurring on both sides and diplomatic negotiations under strain, regional tensions have reached their highest level since the ceasefire was established in April.

The coming days are expected to be critical as world leaders attempt to prevent the latest exchange of attacks from developing into a broader Middle East conflict.