TEHRAN/WASHINGTON : The Middle East has plunged back into a state of active conflict after Iran launched a massive, direct missile barrage targeting key Israeli military airbases. The escalation prompted an immediate diplomatic intervention from US President Donald Trump, who called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, explicitly instructing him to refrain from launching further counter-attacks on Iran.
This operation marks Iran's first major direct military assault on Israel since the ceasefire brokered in April. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the missile strikes are a direct and calculated response to Israel's continuous bombardment of Beirut and southern Lebanon.
Direct Clashes and Retaliatory Claims
Following the Iranian strike, Israel claimed to have executed retaliatory strikes inside Iran. Local media reported powerful explosions echoing across Tehran, Tabriz, and Isfahan. Issuing a stern warning to Tel Aviv, the IRGC stated:
"If Israel expands its military operations in Lebanon or attempts further aggression against Iranian soil, our next response will be disproportionately harsher."
Mohsen Rezaei, advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, reiterated that Washington had been repeatedly warned that violations of the ceasefire and the targeting of Lebanon would not go unanswered. "The aggressor has received its response tonight," Rezaei added.
US President Donald Trump Steps In
Expressing deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating security situation, US President Donald Trump took a strong stance against the escalation, publicly stating that he was "not pleased" with Israel's recent heavy bombings in Beirut.
Directive to Israel: In an emergency phone call, President Trump strictly instructed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt any further military retaliation against Iran to prevent a regional war.
Message to Tehran: Addressing the Iranian leadership, Trump noted that the missile exchanges had gone far enough and urged Tehran to return to the negotiating table.
A "Final Deal" in Sight: President Trump emphasized that the US administration is on the verge of securing a historic "final deal" in the region and will not allow the current escalation to derail ongoing diplomatic breakthroughs.