Israel reported on Monday that it detected a missile launched from Yemen targeting the country. Yemen is home to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who have previously fired missiles at Israel during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Sirens were activated across Israel in response to the missile warning.
In a subsequent action, Israel launched airstrikes early Monday targeting central and western Iran in retaliation for missile fire from Tehran. Iranian state television reported explosions heard in cities including Isfahan, Karaj, Tabriz, and Tehran. A witness in Tehran described hearing a significant blast west of the capital. Following the airstrikes, Iran closed the airspace around Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport.
Iranian officials did not provide details on the targets or any damage caused by the strikes. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard stated that Israel utilized air-launched ballistic missiles in the attack. The Israeli military confirmed that its Air Force struck military targets in western and central Iran but did not elaborate further.
The White House did not comment on whether the strikes were coordinated with the U.S. In Saudi Arabia, missile alert sirens were activated in an area housing a U.S. airbase, but the danger was later reported to have passed.
Negotiations between Iran and the United States regarding a ceasefire had been stalled due to ongoing conflicts involving Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has conducted airstrikes in Lebanon, and Iran retaliated with a strike on Israel, prompting Israel's attack on Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed a desire for Iran to cease missile attacks and return to negotiations. He indicated that Israel's strikes in Lebanon were not coordinated with the U.S. and mentioned that he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from immediate retaliation for the Iranian missile attack.