Iran strikes Israel with missiles; Trump urges restraint

Iran launched a significant missile strike against Israel's northern territory, marking its first direct attack on Israeli soil since a previous escalation in April. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the operation targeted the Ramat David airbase, located southeast of Haifa.

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The approval is given, we will strike the enemy powerfully.

This Iranian action was presented as a retaliatory measure following an Israeli airstrike on the southern outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon. The Israeli strike hit two apartments in the Dahye area, a known stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, resulting in at least two deaths and over 20 injuries. An Israeli military spokesperson stated the Dahye strike was in response to Hezbollah's ongoing attacks on northern Israeli communities.

Israel's military confirmed that its air defense systems successfully intercepted all incoming missiles, reporting no casualties. Eyal Zamir, the IDF Chief of Staff, indicated that a strong counterstrike would be launched upon receiving approval from political leadership.

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We hope you do not retaliate.

Amidst the renewed tensions, former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly contacted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, advising against retaliation. According to Axios, Trump emphasized that no one was harmed in the Iranian attack and suggested Iran should return to negotiation tables. He reiterated this sentiment in an interview with Fox News, stating that Iran's missile launch was sufficient and proposing a return to deal-making.

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You fired missiles, and that's enough. Let's go back to the table and get a deal done.