US President Donald Trump on Monday called on Iran and Israel to immediately cease hostilities after the two countries exchanged missile and air strikes for the first time since a ceasefire in April, raising fears of renewed regional conflict.“Israel and Iran must immediately stop shooting,” Trump wrote on the Truth Social website.
This appeal came as Israel and Iran launched new attacks against each other, representing the most serious escalation since the ceasefire that took effect on April 8.
Iran and Israel exchange missile strikes
Iran fired several waves of missiles at Israel on Monday, setting off sirens across the center and south of the country.Loud explosions were heard as Israeli air defense systems attempted to intercept the incoming missiles.
Israeli rescue authorities said there were no immediate reports of injuries.The missile attack came after Israeli strikes on central and western Iran earlier today. The Israeli army said it targeted surface-to-air missile launchers mounted on trucks and a petrochemical complex in southwestern Iran.Iran claimed responsibility for the missile attacks, saying they targeted two Israeli military bases.
The paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said the strikes were carried out as part of “Operation Victory” and were launched in response to Israeli attacks on radar facilities inside Iran, according to the Associated Press news agency.The latest exchange threatens to undermine efforts to maintain the fragile truce reached after months of conflict.Tehran had warned of retaliation following Israeli strikes on the southern suburb of Beirut on Sunday, while Israeli actions appear to defy Trump’s previous advice to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to respond militarily.In a separate escalation, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement rebels claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Israel and threatened to resume targeting ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea.The conflict also led to broader regional security measures.Iraq closed its airspace for 72 hours, while Syria temporarily closed Damascus International Airport and restricted air traffic in parts of its southern airspace.Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei held Washington responsible for the escalation, saying that the United States would be responsible for any consequences resulting from Israeli military action.Baqai said: “No one believes that the Israeli regime will take any action without coordination with the United States.”Renewed hostilities also shook energy markets.Brent crude prices jumped to $97.49 per barrel, while the price of standard US crude rose to $94.49 per barrel amid concerns about regional stability and oil supplies.
