Israeli air forces conducted retaliatory strikes against military targets in central and western Iran early this morning, ignoring calls from Donald Trump to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation.
The Scope of the Israeli Operation
Israeli air forces launched a series of strikes targeting military installations across central and western Iran. Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the United States, confirmed that the military specifically targeted surface-to-surface missile launchers.
Iranian state television reported that explosions were audible in Tehran, as well as in the cities of Isfahan, Tabriz, and Karaj. A Tehran resident interviewed by the Associated Press described a powerful blast occurring west of the capital, and authorities subsequently closed the airspace surrounding the Khomeini International Airport.
Ignoring Presidential Pressure
The strike occurred just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged Israel to refrain from retaliation. Trump had signaled a desire to de-escalate, telling Axios that he would advise Benjamin Netanyahu to stand down to prevent a further cycle of violence.
Trump also stated to the Financial Times that he believed Netanyahu would eventually have no choice but to accept a potential U.S.-brokered deal with Iran, adding, “I make all the decisions. Netanyahu does not make any decisions.”
Context of the Escalation
According to the portal Axios, this marks the first Israeli attack on Iran since the ceasefire agreed upon on April 8. This military action follows recent Iranian shelling of Israel, which was itself a retaliation for Israeli bombardments near Beirut targeting the Iranian-allied group, Hezbollah.
Israel officially reported that all Iranian missiles involved in previous escalations had been intercepted and neutralized.