Iran targets Israel in warning over Beirut attack

A fragile calm in the Middle East fractured again overnight as Iran’s Revolutionary Guards cast a missile attack on Israel as a direct warning following Israel’s strike on Beirut, and signaled that any further escalation would trigger a far wider response.

“Tonight’s operation was a warning. If such aggressions are repeated, the responses will be broader and will cover all US-Zionist targets in the region,” the force said.

The Israeli military said it detected two waves of missiles launched from Iran toward Israel.

The attack marked Iran’s first direct strike on Israel since a truce took effect in April, and came after Tehran warned it would retaliate if Israel targeted Beirut.

“The IDF intercepted all missiles from Iran thus far. The IDF has currently identified additional launches fired toward the State of Israel,” the military said.

“The aerial defence array is currently identifying and intercepting threats,” it added.

The 8 April ceasefire had paused major fighting involving Iran, Israel and the US, but repeated setbacks in efforts to convert that truce into a broader settlement had already exposed its fragility. The new launches were likely to deepen doubts about the chances for a durable peace.

Iran has maintained that any agreement to permanently end the war must also bring a stop to the parallel conflict in Lebanon, where Israel continues its campaign against Hezbollah.

Iran’s military central command said Israel’s strike on Beirut had “crossed all red lines”.

“The Israeli army must stop its attacks on southern Lebanon and the suburbs, and if it expands its attacks to that region or responds to Iran’s action, it will face more devastating and regrettable blows,” General Ali Abollahi said.

US President Donald Trump said he would call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to press him not to answer Iran’s missile attack with retaliation, according to Axios.

“I am going to call Bibi right now and tell him not to retaliate,” Mr Trump was quoted as saying by Axios journalist Barak Ravid in a phone interview, using the Israeli leader’s nickname.

“Each of them had their fun. Israel had its strike and Iran had its strike. We don’t need another one,” Mr Trump said, according to excerpts of which Ravid posted on X.

In Israel, the military’s Home Front Command said schools nationwide would remain closed tomorrow.

“Following an assessment of the situation, the Home Front Command has decided to modify the instructions and place the entire country under a restricted activity level.

“No educational activities may be conducted,” it said in a statement.

Iran accused of ‘grave mistake’ by Israel

The Israeli military said Iran had made a “grave mistake” by firing a missile barrage at Israel.

“The Iranian terrorist regime has made a grave mistake by once again choosing the path of terror,” military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said.

Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said the IDF stood ready to hit Iran “with force” once orders were given.

“The IDF will strike the enemy with force as soon as the green light is given,” Lt Gen Zamir said in a statement as he conducted a situational assessment, the military said.

The latest exchange also prompted Iran to shut airspace over the west of the country after launching the missiles.

“Due to safety and security assessments… the western part of the country’s airspace was declared closed until further notice,” said Majid Akhavan, the spokesman for the National Civil Aviation Organisation, in a statement carried by the news agency IRNA.

Iraq and Syria moved quickly as well, closing their airspace as a precaution after the missiles crossed their territory en route to targets in Israel.

In a brief statement, the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority reported the closure of Iraqi airspace for 72 hours.

Syria’s authority closed the country’s “southern air corridors” for 12 hours.

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