Iran and Israel exchanged missile strikes late Sunday and early Monday, marking the first such barrages since a fragile ceasefire took effect in early April and intensifying concerns over a broader regional conflict. The exchange followed Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Beirut’s southern suburbs earlier Sunday, which Iran cited as the trigger for its missile attacks on northern Israel.

According to Iranian state media, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched multiple waves of missiles, including a salvo targeting the Ramat David air base near Nazareth in northern Israel. Iranian officials described the strikes as a response to Israeli aggression and warned that any further Israeli attacks on Iran or Lebanon would provoke a “crushing comprehensive” retaliation extending to U.S. and Israeli targets throughout the region. Tehran closed its western airspace to brace for potential Israeli counterstrikes.

Israel’s military reported intercepting all incoming Iranian missiles and sounded nationwide air raid sirens that forced millions to seek shelter. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) subsequently conducted air raids on military sites in western and central Iran, targeting what it described as Iranian terror infrastructure. Israeli officials did not provide detailed assessments of damage or casualties in Iran. The IDF spokesperson, Brigadier General Effie Defrin, condemned Iran’s missile attack as a “grave mistake” and reaffirmed Israel’s resolve to continue operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that the Israeli strikes in Beirut killed two civilians and wounded 20, including women and children.

The exchanges came amid ongoing efforts to broker a lasting peace deal between the United States, Iran, and their regional allies. U.S. President Donald Trump communicated by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the weekend, urging restraint and warning against further escalation. Trump emphasized to the Israeli leader that “each side had their strike” and that he wanted to avoid jeopardizing the near-finalized U.S.-Iran deal, citing the risk that renewed hostilities could derail negotiations. Trump also noted that Israel’s recent strikes in Beirut were not coordinated with Washington and expressed dissatisfaction with Israel’s actions.

Hezbollah, which was not a party to the ceasefire talks, rejected the U.S.-brokered Lebanon-Israel truce and has continued launching rocket attacks into northern Israel from its positions in Lebanon. Israel has maintained its campaign against Hezbollah, including targeted assassinations and airstrikes, despite pressure from the U.S. to limit operations in Beirut. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned last week that further attacks on northern Israeli communities would provoke broader actions against Hezbollah-held areas in Lebanon.

The escalation poses risks to a ceasefire agreement reached between Lebanon and Israel in U.S.-hosted talks, which hinge on Hezbollah halting attacks. Iran insists that any peace accord must address ceasefire terms in Lebanon, complicating negotiations focused primarily on Tehran and Washington. Pakistani and regional mediators, including officials from Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt, continue shuttle diplomacy to revive talks between Washington and Tehran.

Meanwhile, Israel remains vigilant after recent intelligence reports of a Hamas-linked terror cell arrested in Greece for allegedly plotting attacks on Israeli targets abroad. The organization continues to be targeted by Israeli operations amid ongoing efforts to neutralize militant threats following the war triggered by the October 2023 Hamas attack.

The exchanges between Iran and Israel, the heightened military activity in Lebanon, and the continued involvement of regional and global powers underscore the fragility of the current ceasefire and the challenges facing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the Middle East. Both sides remain on high alert, with Israel closing schools and preparing for the possibility of further missile attacks, even as the international community urges restraint and a return to negotiations.