Israel and Iran Conduct Fresh Wave of Strikes, Heightening Middle East Tensions

Key Developments

Iranian state media reports that Mehrabad Airport in Tehran has suspended all flights indefinitely.

On Monday, Israel and Iran exchanged fire, and a missile reportedly struck a section of Saudi Arabia that houses a U.S. military base. This marks the most serious escalation since the two‑month ceasefire began, raising the risk of a broader Middle East war.

Yemen’s Houthis claim missile attack on Israel

Iran‑aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for an attack on Israel and warned that vessels linked to Israel would again be targeted in the Red Sea, according to the Associated Press.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree’s statement was broadcast on the Houthi‑affiliated al‑Masirah satellite channel on Monday.

This represents another new escalation, challenging the nominal ceasefire in the Iran‑Israel conflict with crossfire between the two nations.

The Houthi threat to target vessels again endangers the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the narrow Bab el‑Mandeb Strait.

During the Israel‑Hamas war in Gaza, the Houthis have killed at least nine mariners and sunk four ships in more than 100 attacks, disrupting Red Sea shipping, which previously handled roughly $1 trillion worth of goods annually.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged calm after Iran and Israel exchanged strikes, warning that the fragile truce is being tested and could plunge the Middle East back into war.

double quotation markI think the region does not need an escalation, but actually that parties sit down to a negotiation table and agree.

Opening summary

Welcome to our live coverage of the Middle East crisis.

Israel launched airstrikes early Monday targeting central and western Iran in response to missile fire from Tehran, a move that threatens to pull the wider Middle East back into a regional war.

Iranian state television reported explosions heard in Isfahan, Tabriz and Tehran. A Tehran witness described hearing at least one large blast to the west of the capital.

Iran closed the airspace surrounding Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, the country’s main airfield, following the Israeli attack.

Later on Monday, multiple explosions were heard over Jerusalem as Israel said a new wave of Iranian missiles was incoming, and its military stated it had identified missiles launched from Iran and was working to intercept them.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said Israel employed air‑launched ballistic missiles in its attack on Iran.

At dawn, the Israeli military issued a brief statement saying, “A short while ago, the Israeli Air Force struck military targets belonging to the Iranian regime in western and central Iran.” No further details were provided.

U.S. officials said Donald Trump previously spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him not to respond immediately to Iran’s missile launches, which threatened to undermine the fragile ceasefire established in April.

We will keep you updated with the latest developments. Meanwhile:

• Iran’s attacks appear to be retaliation for Israeli strikes on Beirut’s Dahiyeh southern suburb, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure despite a truce with Lebanon. The Lebanese health ministry reported two deaths and 20 injuries.

• An Iranian‑aligned Houthi missile was launched from Yemen toward Israeli territory on Monday, prompting Israel’s air‑defence systems to intercept it. Rescue services reported no casualties or damage.

• Oil prices surged more than 3% after Iran’s strikes, with Brent crude climbing 3.29% to $96.15 per barrel in early trading on Monday.

• This barrage marks the first Iranian attack since the early‑April ceasefire took effect. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad‑Bagher Ghalibaf declared that U.S. bases and assets in the region are now “legitimate targets.”

• Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen under new conditions, including a transit fee, as stated by Iran’s ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, a position that President Trump strongly opposes.

• Trump asserted that Netanyahu would have no choice but to accept any deal the United States negotiates with Iran, stating, “I call the shots. He won’t have any choice,” according to The Financial Times.

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