Israel launched new airstrikes on Iran after intercepting a missile, targeting military infrastructure in Kermanshah. The escalation follows U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and Iranian retaliation. Netanyahu vows to press ahead, while Iran signals further action and threatens to close the vital Strait of Hormuz.
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes on Iranian military infrastructure early Monday, hours after intercepting a missile fired from Iranian territory. The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, stating they were a direct response to the early-morning missile attack that triggered air raid sirens across large parts of Israel.
According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), more than 15 Israeli Air Force jets were involved in targeting what were described as “military infrastructure sites” in Iran’s western Kermanshah province. These included surface-to-surface missile launch pads and storage facilities, the IDF said in a statement.
“The Israeli Air Force successfully struck multiple strategic targets used for launching and storing missiles intended to harm Israeli citizens. This operation was carried out with precision and determination,” the statement added.
The missile launched by Iran before dawn was successfully intercepted by Israel’s missile defense system, and no casualties or damage were reported. Nonetheless, the attack significantly heightened tensions in the region and provoked a swift military response from Israel.
US Involvement and Iranian Reaction
The Iranian missile strike appears to be in response to recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, a major development that marks direct American military involvement in the growing confrontation between Israel and Iran. U.S. bombers and submarines targeted key nuclear sites in Isfahan, Fordow, and Natanz under what has been termed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” according to Xinhua news agency.
These strikes reportedly destroyed several Iranian nuclear facilities and resulted in the deaths of senior commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, further enraging Tehran. Following these events, Iran has retaliated with a series of missile and drone attacks aimed at Israel.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his first public comments after the U.S. strikes on Sunday, signaling that further retaliation is forthcoming. “The Zionist enemy has made a big mistake, committed a big crime; it must be punished, and it is being punished; it is being punished right now,” Khamenei said in a statement on social media platform X.
He characterized the Israeli and U.S. military actions as “a big crime” and affirmed that “the punishment continues.”
Strategic Tensions over the Strait of Hormuz
As the conflict threatens to spiral into a broader regional war, Iran’s parliament took a significant step by voting in favor of closing the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most vital oil transit routes. While the vote is symbolic and any final decision lies with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, it signals Tehran’s willingness to escalate on the economic front as well.
Netanyahu Vows Continued Operations
In response to the increasing hostilities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that Israel would continue its operations against both Iranian and Gaza-based targets.
“Israel will continue to operate at full tilt in both Iran and Gaza,” Netanyahu stated. “We will not stop this historic operation before we achieve our goals. We will not be dragged into a war of attrition.”
Netanyahu’s comments highlight the Israeli government’s resolve to carry through with what appears to be a prolonged and calculated campaign aimed at neutralizing Iranian military and nuclear capabilities.
Regional Fallout and the Path Forward
This new phase of conflict comes in the wake of Israel’s June 13 airstrikes on multiple Iranian sites, which were among the deadliest to date and resulted in significant casualties among both military personnel and civilians. Iran’s response — ranging from missile attacks to strategic parliamentary maneuvers — indicates a widening battlefield, both militarily and economically.
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Meanwhile, international observers warn of the potential for this escalating standoff to destabilize the broader Middle East. With U.S. forces now directly involved and oil routes under threat, global markets and diplomatic efforts will be closely watching how both nations navigate this perilous juncture.
As the rhetoric hardens and military exchanges intensify, the possibility of a wider regional war can no longer be ruled out.
