Israel responds to Iranian strike despite Trump's warnings
Kyiv • UNN
Israel attacked military targets and a factory in Iran in response to missile strikes. Tehran threatens to block the sea route and launches new missiles.
Israel and Iran have exchanged strikes, according to local media and officials, marking the worst escalation of the conflict since early April, UNN reports, citing CNN.
Details
Early Monday, the Israeli military stated it had struck military targets in Iran following the interception of missiles from Tehran on Sunday.
Israel's response occurred despite warnings from US President Donald Trump and a senior advisor to Iran's supreme leader, both of whom called for restraint.
Here is what is known:
- Israel struck Iran: The Israel Defense Forces stated early Monday that they struck military targets in the western and central regions of Iran. Explosions were heard in several Iranian cities, state media reported. According to the IRGC, the Israeli military used "air-launched ballistic missiles" during the attack. According to Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Yehiel Leiter, the Israeli military struck Iranian surface-to-surface missile sites and infrastructure not related to the energy sector. Israel carried out an air attack on the Karun petrochemical plant in Iran, damaging part of the facility, the semi-official Fars news agency reported Monday, citing the regional deputy governor for security. The Israel Defense Forces said in a post on X that its air force "struck several targets" in the complex. Israel's attack followed Iran's launch of missiles at Israel on Sunday—the first such attack since early April, when a ceasefire agreement was reached. After Iran and Israel exchanged attacks earlier on Monday, the Israeli military reported detecting a new wave of missiles launched from Iran toward Israel;
- Missile from Yemen: Israel stated it intercepted a missile from Yemen, marking the first such incident reported since April. Yemen is home to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels;
- Iran's threat regarding the waterway: Ali Velayati, a senior advisor to Iran's supreme leader, previously stated that Tehran could block the Bab el-Mandeb, another vital maritime corridor in the Middle East, if Israel escalates the conflict;
- Trump warned Netanyahu: According to a US official, US President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from launching a retaliatory attack on Iran. He also told Iran to "return" to the negotiating table;
- In the region: Iran attacked what its military called "terrorist groups" in Iraq, according to the semi-official Mehr News outlet. Meanwhile, in Jordan, missiles violated its airspace, stated Government Communications Minister Mohammad H Al-Momani. His statement did not specify who launched the missiles.