Iran and Israel exchange strikes for first time since April ceasefire

Iran and Israel have exchanged attacks for the first time since a fragile ceasefire came into effect in April, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

Iran launched around ten missiles towards northern Israel on Sunday night. The Israeli military said all of the missiles were intercepted or landed in open areas. No casualties were reported, although debris fell near the city of Tiberias. Israel announced that schools across the country would remain closed on Monday as a precaution.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard described the attack as a “warning” and said stronger action would follow if Israel continued its military operations in Lebanon.

Hours later, Israel carried out retaliatory strikes against military targets in western and central Iran. Iranian state media reported explosions in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan and Karaj, but there was no immediate information on damage or casualties.

The escalation followed an Israeli air strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs earlier on Sunday. Lebanon’s health ministry said the attack killed two people and injured 20 others. Israel said it was responding to earlier rocket fire from the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.

US president Donald Trump urged both sides to avoid further escalation. He reportedly asked Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate against Iran and called for renewed negotiations with Tehran. Trump said a peace agreement with Iran was “very close” and warned that continued fighting could derail diplomatic efforts.

Iran has insisted that any future peace deal must include an end to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, mediation efforts involving regional countries continue as tensions remain high across the Middle East.

^{Smoke rises after an Israeli strike in Tyre, Lebanon © Kawnat HAJU / AFP}