Iran launched missiles at northern Israel on Sunday in response to Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah command centers in Beirut. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that air defense systems were activated after detecting missiles from Iran, marking the first direct Iranian attack on Israel since a ceasefire in April. Initial reports indicated several missiles were launched, but it was unclear how many were intercepted by Israeli forces.
The missile attack followed Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, which resulted in at least two fatalities and several injuries, according to Lebanese authorities. This Israeli action was a response to earlier Hezbollah rocket fire toward Israel. Iran had previously warned that any attack on Beirut would be considered an act of war, as Hezbollah is an Iranian ally.
A renewed ceasefire was announced on Wednesday after U.S.-mediated negotiations between Israel and the Lebanese government aimed at halting hostilities and establishing security zones in southern Lebanon. However, Hezbollah did not participate in the talks and rejected key provisions. Iranian officials condemned the Israeli strikes on Beirut, threatening retaliation and warning that Israeli and U.S. assets in the region could be targeted if attacks on Lebanon continued. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran would confront its enemies directly following the attack and criticized U.S. involvement in the conflict.
