Yesterday air-raid sirens sounded again in Israel after Iran launched missiles at the country for the first time since a ceasefire was declared in April. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed activation of alert systems across large areas of the north and center, including Haifa, Caesarea and Hadera, after launches were detected from Iran. All fired missiles were reported intercepted by Israeli air defenses, and two barrages were recorded in total, including up to 10 ballistic missiles.
Tehran called the strike a “warning” in response to an Israeli strike on the southern suburb of Beirut that took place on the hundredth day of the war. Israeli army spokesman Evi Deferin sharply condemned Iran’s actions, saying that “the Iranian terrorist regime made a grave mistake by once again choosing the path of terror.” Emergency measures were immediately implemented domestically: schools were closed, hospitals switched to an enhanced mode of operation, and military reservists were placed on heightened alert.
Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir emphasized that Tel Aviv will deliver a “severe and wide-scale” retaliatory strike as soon as it gets the “green light.” Zamir reportedly held consultations twice in the past day with Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Brad Cooper, indicating close coordination. At the same time, Israeli officials suggested that a response could be postponed, but not canceled, demonstrating readiness for multiple military scenarios.
Iranian authorities warned that any further aggression would meet a “harsher response,” and that a new strike would be aimed at “all US-Zionist facilities in the region.” The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the strikes were carried out in three waves and were directed at Ramat David airbase in northern Israel. Iran’s Foreign Ministry described the attack as an act of “legitimate self-defense” and placed direct responsibility on the United States for Israel’s violations of the ceasefire.
In response to the Iranian missiles, Israel carried out an airstrike on the southern suburb of Beirut, which killed two people, further escalating the conflict with Hezbollah and Lebanon. Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Corps Ali Abdollah Aliabadi threatened “even more crushing strikes” if Israel continues the attacks. The social media account of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei again confirmed the Islamic Republic’s support for the “resistance.” On the diplomatic front, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with counterparts from the United Kingdom, Turkey, France, Qatar and Pakistan.
U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call with Netanyahu, urging him not to respond to Iran’s attack. In an interview he said that the Israeli prime minister “will have no choice but to accept any deal that the United States makes with Iran,” stressing that “I (Trump) make all the decisions, not Netanyahu.” Washington cautioned Israel against missing the opportunity to reach an agreement and urged it to wait a few days. Meanwhile Iran and Syria announced a partial closure of their airspace, and operations at Damascus International Airport were suspended during the restrictions.
Comments on the news
- What is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and what role does it play in Iran’s political and military system? — The IRGC is an elite politico-military formation created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the regime and suppress internal threats. Unlike the regular army, the IRGC reports directly to the Supreme Leader, controls missile programs, nuclear-related infrastructure, key economic sectors (oil, construction) and plays a decisive role in exporting the revolution by supporting proxy forces such as Hezbollah and the Houthis.
- How is decision-making structured in Iran and what role does Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei play compared to the president? — Iran has a theocratic system with dual leadership. The Supreme Leader (since 1989 — Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) is the head of state with extensive powers: he commands the military and the IRGC, approves candidates for top positions (through the Assembly of Experts), and controls the judiciary and media. The president is elected by popular vote, but his authority is limited to domestic policy and the economy; all key decisions (especially foreign and military policy) require the Supreme Leader’s approval.
- What is the role of the Lebanese group Hezbollah in the regional conflict and how is it connected to Iran? — Hezbollah is a Shia political and armed organization founded by Iran in 1982 with IRGC support to fight the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Today it acts as a key element of Iran’s “axis of resistance”: it receives funding, weapons (including rockets) and military advisors from Tehran. Hezbollah actively engages in conflicts with Israel (for example, the 2006 war) and in the Syrian civil war on the side of the Assad regime, allowing Iran to project military power in the Middle East without entering into direct war.
Full version: إيران تقصف إسرائيل وترمب يحدد الخيارات أمام نتنياهو