Iran launched missiles at Israel on Sunday in the first such bombardment since a fragile ceasefire took effect in April, Israeli officials said, a major regional escalation that risks unraveling negotiations and reigniting the war. The attack came hours after Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs in defiance of a direct request from Washington to stand down.
One Axios correspondent quoted President Donald Trump as saying "I'm calling Netanyahu right now and telling him not to attack Iran in response." An Israeli response is still likely, which would carry the conflict into territory it has not been in since the April pause began.
The IDF said sirens went off across northern Israel as four missiles were launched from Iran in an initial wave, with air defense systems moving to intercept. Iranian state media then reported a second wave of launches, which Israeli officials confirmed — though they said all missiles had been intercepted as of the time of reporting. No immediate injuries or damage were reported. Schools across Israel were cancelled nationwide. The Home Front Command directed the public to locate safe rooms and shelters. President Trump has been briefed on the situation, a U.S. official said.
How Sunday’s Escalation Unfolded
Hezbollah fired a drone at an Israeli army post at Dovev Barracks in northern Israel Sunday morning. The group confirmed the attack in a statement, describing it as retaliation for Israeli violations of the ceasefire and strikes on villages in southern Lebanon. Israel responded with airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, hitting a residential building in the Mreijeh area. Lebanon’s health ministry said two people were killed and 20 wounded.
Washington had asked Israel not to strike Beirut. Iran had warned retaliation would follow if it did.
Iran’s parliament national security spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei had warned Iran would “deliver a decisive and painful response” to the Israeli attack before the missiles were fired. After the launch, Iran’s military said Israel had “crossed all red lines” in intensifying its attacks in southern Lebanon and targeting the Beirut suburb of Dahieh, and warned that “if it expands its attacks in that area, or responds to Iran’s action, it will face more forceful blows, and devastating attacks will be launched” against Israel and its supporters.
The IDF said it had conducted a situational assessment after the Beirut strike and was already preparing for incoming fire. “The IDF has reinforced its defensive capabilities and is maintaining a high level of readiness and alertness for a variety of defensive and offensive scenarios,” an IDF spokesperson said, urging the public to remain vigilant.
What Was at Stake Before Sunday
The broader peace framework was, by some accounts, closer than it had been at any point. By late May, U.S. and Iranian officials had reportedly reached a preliminary memorandum of understanding to extend the ceasefire 60 days and begin formal permanent peace negotiations, covering the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief, enriched uranium limits, and a long-term framework. That deal still required Trump’s final approval and had not been signed.
Trump said Thursday he would be open to meeting with Iran’s new supreme leader if a deal is reached. He also called for more “surgical” strikes against Hezbollah in a Sunday interview before the Iranian missiles were fired.
The question now is whether any of that survives. With Iran having broken the ceasefire for the first time since April 8 and an Israeli response now likely, the preliminary framework for a 60-day extension and permanent talks is in serious jeopardy.
Trump had previously said that if Iran kills American troops, that would be “a good reason” to restart the war. No American casualties have been reported from Sunday’s exchange. The core dispute has not changed: what role Hezbollah and Lebanon play in any final agreement. That question has gone unanswered for two months. Sunday is what happens when it continues to go unanswered.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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