Iran-US war latest: Israel launches retaliatory strikes on Iran’s military targets after missile attack – UK Times

Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, has defended his country’s latest strikes on Iran, saying “no self-respecting country” would accept missile attacks on its territory.

Writing on X, Leiter said the Israeli operation was aimed at Iran’s surface-to-surface missile launch sites and other non-energy infrastructure.

“The people of Lebanon have rejected Iran’s proxy, Hizballah, and have told Iran to get out of their country,” Leiter said.

“If Hizballah fires at Israel, its command centers in the Dahiya will be hit hard,” he said, referring to a southern district of Beirut that is widely recognised as a Hezbollah stronghold.

“This has nothing to do with Iran. Everyone has had enough of this maniacal Iranian regime.”

Israel carried out airstrikes on targets in central and western Iran early on Monday in response to Iranian missile launches against Israel.

Explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz and Karaj.

Iran temporarily closed the airspace around Tehran’s main international airport following the attacks.

The strikes came despite reports that US president Donald Trump had urged Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate immediately, as Washington continues to pursue diplomatic efforts with Tehran.

The latest exchange has raised fears of a broader regional conflict.

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Authorities had urged people to remain indoors and avoid leaving their shelters until the threat had passed.

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Israel struck the southern Beirut suburbs on Sunday just days after a ceasefire agreement in Washington went into effect.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the strikes were in retaliation for Hezbollah firing toward northern Israel earlier, and that the attacks targeted “command centers” in the sprawling urban neighborhoods.

Hezbollah did not immediately claim responsibility for firing at Israel.

The strikes come after the Lebanese and Israeli governments in Washington renewed a ceasefire agreement in ongoing talks that Beirut hopes will bring an end to the war across the country. There was no immediate word of casualties.

They added that any Israeli response would prompt “more crushing and regretful blows”, as the head of the IDF indicated the military was ready to respond as soon as the order was given.

Donald Trump urged Benjamin Netanyahu not to respond and risk another major escalation. He said the strikes resulted in no casualties.

In comments to Axios, the president cautioned: “Hopefully Israel is not going to retaliate. If Bibi strikes them back it’s just gonna keep going like the last 47 years, or the last 3000 years.”

“Each of them had their fun. Israel had its strike and Iran had its strike. We don’t need another one,” he added.

Speaking to the Financial Times, he added, “I call the shots. He [Netanyahu] doesn’t call the shots”. He said that the Israeli prime minister will have “no choice” but to accept a deal with Iran.

Asked what would happen if a deal failed “on its merits”, Trump said he would consider a commando raid on Iran.

Separately, he told Fox News he was “not happy” with Israel’s strikes on Beirut, signalling a widening rift with Israel as he tries to wind down the unpopular war in the Middle East.

They added that any Israeli response would prompt “more crushing and regretful blows”, as the head of the IDF indicated the military was ready to respond as soon as the order was given.

Donald Trump urged Benjamin Netanyahu not to respond and risk another major escalation. He said the strikes resulted in no casualties.

In comments to Axios, the president cautioned: “Hopefully Israel is not going to retaliate. If Bibi strikes them back it’s just gonna keep going like the last 47 years, or the last 3000 years.”

“Each of them had their fun. Israel had its strike and Iran had its strike. We don’t need another one,” he added.

Speaking to the Financial Times, he added, “I call the shots. He [Netanyahu] doesn’t call the shots”. He said that the Israeli prime minister will have “no choice” but to accept a deal with Iran.

Asked what would happen if a deal failed “on its merits”, Trump said he would consider a commando raid on Iran.

Separately, he told Fox News he was “not happy” with Israel’s strikes on Beirut, signalling a widening rift with Israel as he tries to wind down the unpopular war in the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have no choice but to accept whatever deal the US negotiates with Iran, Donald Trump told the Financial Times in an interview published on Sunday, because Trump “calls the shots”.

“He won’t have any choice,” Trump was quoted as saying.