Middle East war escalation is in full swing, as multiple explosions were reported early morning in three major cities in Iran, according to the semi-official Iranian news agency YJC.
Explosions were heard in Tehran, Tabriz and Isfahan, with no official information yet available about the causes or potential damage and casualties. These are the first strikes to take place since the April ceasefire.
The Israeli Armed Forces announced they struck military targets in western and central Iran, without providing further details about their nature or the results of the raids.
The operation came in response to Iran’s new missile attack, which had launched ballistic missiles toward Israeli territory Sunday night.
Revolutionary Guards say they targeted “terrorist organizations” in Iraqi Kurdistan
The Revolutionary Guards announced Sunday night into Monday that they targeted “terrorist organizations” in Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan, according to the official Iranian news agency IRNA.
The ideological army of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced it had targeted the “general headquarters of terrorist organizations in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq,” IRNA reported via Telegram, without elaborating.
Israel reports missile from Yemen toward its territory
Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced that a missile was launched from Yemen toward Israeli territory and that its air defense systems are operating to intercept the threat.
Israel warns of “harsh response” against Iran
Israel’s public broadcaster reported earlier, before the new attacks, citing information also reported by the Times of Israel, that Israeli leadership was considering the possibility of postponing its planned response, taking into account objections allegedly expressed by Donald Trump.
According to the same report, Israel no longer rules out the possibility of the operation taking place in the coming days, instead of the original scenario that envisioned action within the night, which was ultimately the option implemented. Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that “we can delay our response to Iran for a few days” and that “we will not respond in the heat of the moment.”
As reported by ynet, during a security meeting convened by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with senior defense ministry officials, the assessment was expressed that Iran is not seeking a broader confrontation, but a limited and controlled response focused on northern Israel.
However, an Israeli official emphasized that Tehran should not assume that Israel will leave this action unanswered.
“The response will be harsh,” he said characteristically, adding that the country will not allow terms to be imposed or its sovereignty to be violated.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported, citing a source from Tel Aviv, that Israel has committed to proceeding with retaliation against Iran.
From Tehran’s side, a senior Iranian source told the agency that any Israeli attack will be met with even greater force.
Iran closed airspace around Tehran airport after Israeli strikes
Iran also closed the airspace around Tehran airport. The suspension of flights at Imam Khomeini airport was announced hours after the exchange of missile and air attacks between Iran and Israel.
Iran threatens to close strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait if Israel escalates attacks
Meanwhile, Iran issued a new warning to Israel, with state media reporting that Tehran threatens to close the Bab el-Mandeb strait in case of further escalation of Israeli attacks. The statement is attributed to a senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader and comes amid rising Middle East tensions.
The Bab el-Mandeb strait is located at the southern end of the Red Sea and is one of the most important maritime corridors globally. It connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, forming a vital passage to the Suez Canal and one of the busiest commercial routes linking Europe with Asia. At its narrowest point it is only 29 kilometers wide, making it particularly vulnerable to military or other interventions that could disrupt navigation.
Iran’s missile attack on Israel
It should be noted that Sunday evening, Iran proceeded to launch missiles toward Israel, triggering sirens in extensive areas of the country’s northern section.
According to ynet, this action occurred while Tehran had previously issued threats following the Israeli attack against Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s Dahiya neighborhood.
Shortly before the launches, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had announced that, after assessing security data, they were on heightened alert for possible attacks against Israel within the next hours.
Revolutionary Guards message
The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) called on Israel to stop its military operations in Lebanon, warning that otherwise “more crushing and painful strikes” would follow.
In their statement they said they had warned that any extension of operations in Beirut’s Dahiya area would lead to attacks against targets on Israeli soil.
The IRGC claimed the missile attacks were a warning message and emphasized that, in case of repeated attacks, the response could extend to American and Israeli targets throughout the region.
Additionally, the Revolutionary Guards stated that the target of the ballistic missiles was the Ramat David air base in northern Israel.
Trump insists on Iran deal despite attack on Israel and would contact Netanyahu to prevent retaliation
Donald Trump maintained before the Israeli response that there is still prospect for an agreement between the US and Iran, despite the missile attack launched by Tehran against Israel.
In statements to Fox News, the American president appealed to Iran to return to negotiations, saying characteristically: “You launched your missiles, that’s enough.”
As he noted, the agreement was very close to completion before the latest developments. “I believed it would be signed Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, but then the events we know occurred,” he remarked.
Trump also emphasized that American armed forces are on standby, while commenting on the Israeli operation carried out earlier in Beirut, stating that he was not satisfied with that specific action.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Axios, he mentioned that he intends to contact Benjamin Netanyahu immediately, in order to urge him not to proceed with an attack against Iran in retaliation.
School closures and Trump briefing
Israel’s Home Front Command announced that schools throughout the country would not operate the next day. At the same time, Axios, citing an American official, reported that US President Donald Trump has already been briefed on developments.
