Israel has carried out airstrikes in western and central Iran after Iran fired missiles at northern Israel, marking the first direct exchange of attacks between the two countries since a ceasefire came into effect two months ago.
Fresh explosions were reported in Tehran after Israel announced that dozens of its fighter jets had completed strikes on Iranian defence systems. In response, Iran declared that its attacks marked the beginning of a full week of continuous strikes.
Iran said it launched the attacks after Israel carried out airstrikes on Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday.
The Israeli military stated that the strikes targeted Hezbollah positions in the southern suburbs of the city and were carried out in response to rocket attacks allegedly launched by Hezbollah into Israel.
The renewed hostilities come despite reports that United States President Donald Trump had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate against Iran’s earlier missile attack.
Donald Trump had reportedly urged Israel not to attack Iran, saying on Sunday he was going to call Benjamin Netanyahu “right now and tell him not to retaliate”
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, accused the United States of bearing responsibility for Israel’s actions. According to Iranian state media, Baghaei said Israel’s actions and conflicting positions from US officials had negatively affected the atmosphere surrounding ongoing negotiations.
Baghaei warned that any consequences arising from the renewed escalation would not be limited to Israel and Iran alone, insisting that the United States would also bear responsibility for the fallout