File photo
US President Donald Trump on Monday called on Iran and Israel to immediately halt hostilities after the two countries exchanged missile and air strikes for the first time since an April ceasefire, raising fears of a renewed regional conflict.Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Israel and Iran must immediately stop ‘shooting’.” The appeal came as Israel and Iran launched fresh attacks against each other, marking the most serious escalation since the ceasefire that took effect on April 8.
Iran, Israel trade missile strikes
Iran fired multiple waves of missiles at Israel on Monday, triggering air raid sirens across central and southern parts of the country.Loud explosions were heard as Israeli air defence systems attempted to intercept the incoming projectiles. Israeli rescue authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties.The missile barrage followed Israeli strikes on central and western Iran earlier in the day. The Israeli military said it targeted truck-mounted surface-to-air missile launchers and a petrochemical complex in southwestern Iran.Iran claimed responsibility for the missile attacks, saying they targeted two Israeli military bases. The paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said the strikes were carried out under “Operation Nasr” (Victory) and were launched in response to Israeli attacks on radar facilities inside Iran, according to news agency AP.The latest exchange threatens to unravel efforts to maintain the fragile truce reached after months of conflict.Tehran had warned of retaliation following Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday, while Israeli actions appeared to defy Trump’s earlier advice to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to respond militarily.In a separate escalation, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement rebels claimed a missile attack on Israel and threatened to resume targeting Israel-linked shipping in the Red Sea.The conflict also prompted wider regional security measures.Iraq closed its airspace for 72 hours, while Syria temporarily shut Damascus International Airport and restricted air traffic in parts of its southern airspace.Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei blamed Washington for the escalation, saying the United States would be responsible for any consequences arising from Israeli military action.“No one believes that the Israeli regime would take any action without coordination with the United States,” Baghaei said.The renewed hostilities also rattled energy markets.Brent crude oil prices jumped to $97.49 per barrel, while US benchmark crude rose to $94.49 per barrel amid concerns over regional stability and oil supplies.
