Iran fires waves of missiles into Israel for first time since April ceasefire
Iran launched waves of missiles into Israel for the first time since the April ceasefire, prompting Israeli officials to vow a 'powerful' response, while Tehran warned of further attacks if Israel continued its offensive in Lebanon. US President Donald Trump urged Iran to return to negotiations and suggested Israel might have to accept any US-brokered deal, drawing criticism from Israeli politicians who demanded a forceful retaliation against Iran.
Iran fired multiple ballistic missiles at Israel in the first such attack since the ceasefire in April, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. The Israeli military intercepted the missiles, and Israeli officials declared they would deliver a 'powerful' response, while Iran stated it would launch further attacks if Israel continued its military operations in Lebanon. A deadly Israeli strike in Beirut on Sunday, targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah, heightened tensions in the area. US President Donald Trump condemned the Iranian strikes, stating they would not aid negotiations to end the war. He urged Iran to 'get back to the table and make a deal,' while also suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would have to accept any agreement the US reached with Iran. Trump told media outlets he would advise Israel not to retaliate against Iran, a stance that drew criticism from Israeli politicians. Israeli opposition figures, including former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, called for a strong response, labeling the missile attack as 'a moment of truth.' Bennett emphasized that Israel must demonstrate its ability to defend itself, while far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir demanded that 'Tehran must burn.' Left-wing politician Yair Golan accused Netanyahu’s government of weakness, urging voters to replace it in upcoming elections scheduled for September or October. Iranian state media released footage of missiles bearing messages referencing Jeffrey Epstein, framing the conflict as a fight against 'the corrupt people of Epstein Island.' The missiles included religious references to Jesus and Moses, with one message stating, 'We are fighting a criminal gang. The corrupt people of Epstein Island. We will not compromise on the security of our people.' The escalation has raised concerns about a broader regional conflict, with Israeli officials divided over how to respond. Netanyahu faces pressure from both domestic critics and international actors as the situation continues to unfold.
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