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Iran Fires Missiles at Israel After Beirut Strikes as Regional Tensions Escalate

Tehran - Middle East — A sharp escalation in regional hostilities unfolded on Monday as Iran launched multiple waves of missiles toward Israel following Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon and Iran, raising fears of a broader conflict across the Middle East.

Israel's military said air raid sirens sounded across parts of the country after Iranian missiles were launched toward Israeli territory. The attacks came hours after Israeli strikes reportedly hit targets in Tehran, Tabriz, and Isfahan, while a separate Israeli operation in Beirut's southern suburbs killed at least two people and injured around 20 others.

Iran said its missile barrage was a response to the attack on Beirut's Dahiyeh district, accusing Israel of repeatedly violating ceasefire agreements and declaring that the latest strike had crossed "all red lines."

According to Israeli emergency services, no casualties were immediately reported from the latest Iranian missile attacks. However, Israeli police confirmed property damage caused by rocket debris in parts of the occupied West Bank.

The growing confrontation has also affected civilian infrastructure inside Iran. Authorities announced the suspension of all flights at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport and Kermanshah International Airport until further notice following Israeli attacks. Iranian media also reported two strikes on the Karun petrochemical plant in Mahshahr, although officials said no casualties had been recorded and damage assessments were still underway.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei strongly criticized both Israel and the United States during a press conference, accusing Washington of bearing responsibility for ceasefire violations in the region.

"The actions of the Zionist entity within the region cannot be viewed separately from the United States," Baghaei said, arguing that recent developments have increased distrust in ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Baghaei also accused International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of demonstrating "deliberate bias" against Iran, claiming the agency's neutrality had been undermined during the current crisis.

Meanwhile, analysts say Iran's decision to directly respond to Israeli operations in Lebanon could signal a significant shift in regional security dynamics. Trita Parsi, co-founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, described the situation as a new phase in Middle East deterrence strategies.

According to Parsi, Tehran's actions suggest an effort to establish a protective deterrence line around Lebanon, fundamentally altering the traditional balance of power and military calculations in the region.

Political considerations inside Israel may also be influencing the conflict's trajectory. Analysts note that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces domestic pressure amid reports that U.S. President Donald Trump urged restraint during recent discussions. Reports suggest Trump sought to prevent further escalation, though Israeli military operations continued.

Observers say Netanyahu's political image has come under scrutiny following reports of U.S. pressure, with some analysts arguing that maintaining a tough stance against Iran remains central to his domestic political strategy.

As diplomatic efforts struggle to gain momentum, concerns are growing that the latest exchanges could trigger a wider regional conflict involving multiple countries and armed groups. International leaders have repeatedly called for de-escalation, but missile attacks, airstrikes, and accusations between the parties continue to deepen instability across the Middle East.

With both sides signaling determination to defend their strategic interests, the prospect of a rapid return to calm appears increasingly uncertain.

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