Iran launches missile barrage at Israel, first since Mid-East ceasefire

Iran launched a missile barrage at Israel on June 7, marking the first such attack since an April ceasefire halted major hostilities in the Middle East. The Israeli military reported intercepting multiple waves of incoming missiles hours after Israel struck a Hezbollah command center in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district, killing two and wounding 20. The Israeli strike, announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, came after Hezbollah fired missiles and drones at Israeli army barracks. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the U.S. of giving a ‘green light’ for the Beirut attack, declaring US and Israeli assets as legitimate targets. General Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s military central command, warned Israel had ‘crossed all red lines’ and threatened further retaliation if attacks persisted in Lebanon. The escalation follows stalled diplomatic efforts to solidify the ceasefire, with Iran insisting any deal must include halting Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Iranians expressed growing economic strain, with citizens describing daily life as increasingly difficult amid rising prices and uncertainty. Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Tehran on June 6 to deliver a ‘special letter’ from Pakistan’s army chief and prime minister, continuing efforts to mediate between Iran and the U.S. Lebanese army chief Rodolphe Haykal also traveled to Pakistan for talks, signaling ongoing regional diplomatic activity. The latest attacks underscore the fragile state of the ceasefire, now in its 100th day, as both sides exchange strikes and warnings. Israel’s Iron Dome system remained active, intercepting threats while preparing for potential further escalation.