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Missiles after April ceasefire
Iran launched missiles at Israel in the first such bombardment since a fragile ceasefire took effect in early April, raising the possibility of a return to heavy fighting and complicating mediation efforts to end the war.
“Israel says Iran launched missiles at it in first such bombardment since fragile ceasefire Israel says Iran launched missiles at it in first such bombardment since fragile ceasefire JERUSALEM (AP) — Iran launched missiles at Israel in the first such bombardment since a fragile ceasefire took effect in early April, raising the possibility of a return to heavy fighting and complicating mediation efforts to end the war”
AP reported that Iran’s state broadcaster confirmed the launches and that Iran closed its western airspace to brace for a possible response, while Israel’s military said it intercepted the missiles and multiple explosions were heard in the north.
The AP account tied the escalation to an earlier Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs without warning, and it said the strike killed two people and wounded 20, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
CNN said the Israeli military intercepted waves of missiles fired from Iran for the first time since early April, and it reported that Israel’s sources vowed the country will deliver a “powerful” response.
In Tehran, the BBC reported pro-government demonstrations after the Beirut strike, and it said the US embassy in Jerusalem would be closed on Monday due to the “current security situation in Israel.”
Trump, Guard, and officials
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said in a statement that “Should these acts of aggression be repeated, the responses will be broader in scope,” and it referenced attacks in Lebanon and on Iran’s coast and vessels around the Strait of Hormuz.
In response, Israel’s military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin told reporters, “Iran has made a grave mistake,” while the military’s chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, said it will “strike the enemy with determination as soon as the order is given.”
CNN reported that Trump told Fox News the Iranian strikes are “certainly not going to help” negotiations on ending the war, and it said Trump told Tehran to “get back to the table and make a deal.”
The BBC quoted Trump telling the Financial Times, “He won’t have any choice,” and it added that he said “I call the shots. I call all the shots. He [Netanyahu] doesn’t call the shots.”
The BBC also reported that UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the “resumption of conflict between Iran and Israel is in no one’s interest,” and she urged both sides to “de-escalate immediately.”
Airspace closures and next steps
AP said Iran’s missile launches and the broader escalation threatened to complicate mediation efforts to end the war, and it reported that the U.S. Central Command posted that “U.S. forces across the Middle East remain vigilant and ready” shortly before the missile launches.
“We're getting some pictures now of pro-government demonstrations taking place in Tehran, following the Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs”
After the launches, AP reported that Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority announced that the country’s airspace would close for 72 hours and Syria’s aviation authority announced a 12-hour airspace closure, while all flights from Tehran’s main international airport were suspended.
CNN reported that Israel’s government announced schools would be closed across the country on Monday and that Israel’s Home Front Command instructed people to remain near shelters.
The BBC said the IDF warned “To be continued” on X after striking Beirut’s southern suburbs, and it reported that the Israel Defense Forces said its chief of the general staff was conducting a situational assessment.
In the diplomatic track, AP reported that Pakistan’s interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, was in Tehran on Sunday delivering a message to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei from Pakistan’s army, as mediation efforts continued before and after the missile launches.
