Iran Launches Missile Strikes On Israel, First Direct Attack Since April Ceasefire

TEHRAN/JERUSALEM - Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched multiple waves of ballistic missiles targeting Israel's northern Ramat David Airbase on Sunday evening, marking the first direct Iranian attack on Israeli territory since a fragile ceasefire was brokered in April 2026. The strike, described by Iran as a "warning and defensive measure," came in retaliation for Israel's intensified military operations in southern Lebanon and a recent airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs that killed two civilians and wounded 20 others.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), at least three waves of missiles-totaling approximately 10 ballistic missiles-were fired from Iran early Sunday local time. Air raid sirens blared across northern Israel, including Haifa, the Galilee region, and parts of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, triggering emergency protocols and prompting civilians to seek shelter. The IDF confirmed that its multi-layered air defense systems, including the Iron Dome and Arrow anti-missile batteries, intercepted all incoming missiles, with no reported injuries or significant damage to infrastructure.

In a formal statement, the IRGC's Aerospace Force said the operation was "a legitimate response to Israel's ongoing violations of the April ceasefire and its aggressive actions against Lebanon." It accused Israel of repeatedly breaching the truce by conducting airstrikes in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions, and collaborating in U.S. naval operations in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman that targeted Iranian vessels. "This strike is a warning," the statement read. "If Israel continues its aggression, our future response will expand to include all U.S. and Israeli targets in the region."

Israel's security cabinet held an emergency meeting overnight to assess the situation. While the IDF has vowed to "strike the enemy with determination as soon as the order is given," Israeli officials have signaled caution, wary of triggering a full-scale regional war. The Israeli government announced on Sunday that all schools nationwide would be closed on Monday, with restrictions on large gatherings and instructions for citizens to remain near shelters.

The attack has sent shockwaves through global markets, with oil prices surging more than 2.5% amid fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East, which accounts for over 30% of the world's crude oil production. The United Nations has issued an urgent appeal for restraint, with Secretary-General António Guterres warning that "any further escalation could plunge the region into a devastating conflict with global consequences."UN News

Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions are underway. European leaders-including the UK, France, and Germany-have called for immediate dialogue between all parties, while Egypt and Qatar have offered to mediate between Israel and Hezbollah. Iran has stated that it remains open to diplomatic solutions but insists that Israel must halt all military activity in Lebanon and respect the terms of the April ceasefire.

As of Monday morning, the situation remains tense but calm, with no further missile exchanges reported. Both sides, however, remain on high alert, and the risk of retaliatory strikes remains significant.