On Monday, tensions in the Middle East escalated dramatically as Israel and Iran exchanged fire. Reports also emerged of a missile aiming for a Saudi Arabian location that houses a U.S. military base. This marks the most significant flare-up since a ceasefire was reached two months ago, raising fears of renewed conflict in the region.
According to Israeli officials, their country was the target of two waves of missile attacks from Iran. The sound of explosions echoed across central Israel as their air defense systems worked to intercept these incoming threats.
Iran’s offensive was prompted by Israeli airstrikes on central and western Iran earlier on Monday. These strikes were a countermeasure to missiles previously fired from Tehran, marking the fiercest exchange of hostilities since the ceasefire agreement on April 8 in the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Following Israel’s attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sunday, Tehran issued a warning of retaliation. This act of aggression defied Washington’s earlier request for restraint.
The recent Israeli military actions appeared to go against the advice of U.S. President Donald Trump. He had expressed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that further responses might not be necessary.
Here are the latest developments:
Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim missile attack on Israel
The Iran-backed rebels also said that Israel-affiliated vessels would again be a target in the Red Sea.
The statement from Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree was broadcast on the Houthis’ al-Masirah satellite news channel.
It’s another new escalation as the nominal ceasefire in the Iran war is being challenged by crossfire between Israel and Iran.
Iran claims attacks, says it targeted military bases
Iran claimed the attacks on Israel, saying their fire targeted two military bases in Israel.
The paramilitary Revolutionary Guard described the attack as being part of Operation Nasr, or “Victory.” The Guard said it launched the missile fire after Israel targeted radar sites in three areas of Iran, without elaborating.
The Israeli military says it hit petrochemical complex in Iran
Israel’s military says it him a petrochemical complex in southwestern Iran. It did not provide details.
The semiofficial Fars and Mehr news agencies said Israeli strikes hit a petrochemical factory in city of Mahshahr in Khuzestan province. It did not elaborate on the damage done.
Israel issues all clear after a second wave of Iranian missiles
Israel issued an all-clear after warning of a second wave of inbound missiles from Iran.
It was the second alert without any interceptions being heard in the country.
The Iranian fire comes after Israel launched strikes on Iran early Monday in the most-serious crossfire since an April 8 ceasefire was reached in the Iran war.
Sirens sound near Israel’s main nuclear research site
Israel said it detected a barrage of missiles from Iran toward central and southern Israel on Monday morning. Loud explosions were heard over central Israel, and missiles also targeted southern Israel, near the city of Dimona and Arad.
The remote desert city of Dimona houses Israel’s main nuclear research center, which opened in 1958. Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, though its leaders neither confirm nor deny this.
Iran targeted Dimona and Arad during the last round of conflict, injuring more than two dozen people.
No impact or casualties in Israel from Yemen missile launch
Israel’s rescue services said there were no reports of casualties or impacts from the launch from Yemen.
Israel cancels school nationwide as conflict escalates
Israel’s military updated its guidelines for civilians on Sunday evening, limiting large gatherings and canceling school across the country.
It is the first time school has been canceled across Israel since the earlier round of fighting with Iran in April, though schools in Israel’s northern border had been closed for much longer due to the threat of Hezbollah fire.
Israel says missile launched from Yemen
Israel said Monday that it detected a missile launched from Yemen targeting the country. Sirens sounded across Israel after the Yemen missile fire warning.
Yemen is home to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The Houthis have fired missiles at Israel during the Israel-Hamas war and later, but haven’t been fully involved in the Iran war.
Saudi Arabia sounds missile alerts
Saudi Arabia sounded missile alert sirens Monday morning in an area home to an air base that hosts U.S. forces. Saudi state media reported the alert around its Al Kharj governorate, home to Prince Sultan Air Base.
It did not elaborate. The alert came after Israel launched strikes targeting Iran.
President Donald Trump had urged Israel not to respond
Speaking to The Financial Times, U.S. President Donald Trump before the Israeli strike on Iran insisted he dictated terms to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on how the war should be prosecuted.
“He won’t have any choice,” Trump told the newspaper in a telephone interview. “I call the shots. I call all the shots. He (Netanyahu) doesn’t call the shots.”
White House has no immediate comment
The White House did not respond to messages Sunday about the strikes and whether they were done in coordination with the U.S.
Iran closes airspace around its main airport following Israeli strikes
Iran closes airspace around Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, country’s main airfield, after Israeli attack.
Israel strikes central and Western Iran
Israel says it strikes central and Western Iran after missile fire; Tehran says explosions heard in several cities
