Iran Fires Missiles, Israel's First Air Raid Sirens Since April Ceasefire

Tensions in the Middle East are rapidly escalating. For the first time since the April ceasefire, air raid sirens sounded across Israel on the 7th as the military attempted to intercept a barrage of missiles from Iran. Iran, Iraq, and Syria each announced the closure of their airspace.

According to AFP, the Israeli military reported the Iranian attack just hours after Tehran threatened retaliation for the airstrike on Beirut.

The ceasefire agreement that took effect on April 8 temporarily ended major hostilities between Iran, Israel, and the United States, but efforts to turn the truce into a permanent peace solution have repeatedly faltered. As the Middle East war enters its 100th day, this missile offensive is certain to further dash hopes for lasting peace in the region.

Tehran insists that any permanent end-of-war agreement must simultaneously resolve the conflict in Lebanon and has warned that a new attack on Beirut would trigger a "full resumption" of hostilities. Israel is currently continuing its military operations against the Iran-backed Lebanese Shia Islamist militia group Hezbollah.

● Iran Retaliates for Israeli Strike on Beirut

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced on the 7th that the military had "attacked a Hezbollah militant command center in the Dahiyeh area of Beirut in response to Hezbollah's attacks on Israeli territory."

Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that the airstrike killed 2 people and wounded 20.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator with the US and speaker of parliament, accused the US of "greenlighting" the attack on Beirut, stating that US and Israeli assets are now "legitimate targets."

Hours later, the Israeli military reported at least three waves of missile attacks, stating that its air defense systems were "identifying and intercepting threats."

Iran's military command headquarters, Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, stated that Israel's action in Beirut had "crossed all red lines."

General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, head of the Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said: "The Israeli army must stop its attacks on southern Lebanon and its surrounding areas. If it expands its operations there or responds to Iran's actions, it will face more devastating and regrettable blows."

The Israeli military later stated that all missiles launched by Iran on the 7th had been intercepted. It also warned Iran against launching any new attacks.

● Iran, Iraq, Syria Close Airspace

After launching a series of missiles toward Israel on the 7th in retaliation for the attack on Lebanon, Iran closed its western airspace.

Majid Akhavan, a spokesman for Iran's Civil Aviation Organisation, said in a statement via the official IRNA news agency: "Based on security assessments... the western airspace of our country is closed until further notice."

Following the missile launch from neighboring Iran that traversed their airspace toward Israeli targets, Iraq and Syria announced the closure of their airspace on the 7th for security reasons.

Iraq's Civil Aviation Authority said in a brief statement that Iraqi airspace would be closed for 72 hours. Syrian authorities announced that the "southern air corridor" would be closed for 12 hours.

● Israeli Military Vows to Expand Lebanon Operations

The Israeli military stated on the 7th that it would continue its military operations in Lebanon, emphasizing that it would intensify the fight against Hezbollah.

Military spokesman Effie Defrin said in a televised statement: "The (Iranian) regime is trying to create a new situation by responding to the IDF's operation in Dahiyeh with a direct attack on Israeli territory."

He said: "Our strike in Dahiyeh is a response to Hezbollah's ongoing attacks on communities in northern Israel. The IDF will continue to operate throughout Lebanon and will intensify its operations against the Hezbollah terrorist organization."