First Strike: Iran Rain Missiles Down on Israel
The Middle East has heated up once again after Iran launched a direct missile attack on Israeli territory, spanning from Sunday night (7/6/2026) to Monday (8/6/2026). The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserted that this attack was a response to Israeli military operations in Beirut, Lebanon, which targeted the Hezbollah group. In an official statement, the IRGC warned that this is merely the beginning of a broader military campaign.
In response to the missile barrage, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) immediately launched retaliatory air strikes. Iranian state media reported a series of loud explosions heard in three major cities: Tehran, Taberm, and Isfahan on Monday morning. The Israeli military confirmed that its air force targeted strategic military objectives in western and central Iran. “A short while ago, the Israeli Air Force attacked military targets belonging to the Iranian regime,” the IDF wrote via its official Telegram channel.
In Israel, air raid sirens wailed across the northern regions of the country. Although Iran claims to have launched a large number of projectiles, the Israeli military stated that most missiles were intercepted by air defence systems or landed in open areas, with no initial reports of mass casualties.
The situation has triggered global fears of a large-scale war. The Iranian government accused Israel of violating sovereignty boundaries agreed upon following the April ceasefire, while the international community is now urging both parties to exercise restraint to avoid further destructive escalation.
Amidst the tension, US President Donald Trump has expressed hope that Israel will not retaliate against the Iranian missile attack, in order to preserve the process of the final agreement between the US and Iran. Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has called for involvement in US-Iran negotiations to ensure regional sovereignty and security following the massive attacks targeting vital infrastructure. Tensions continue to rise as the US shot down two Iranian drones in the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel continues its strikes in Lebanon.