What had been an uneasy ceasefire between Iran and Israel since April 8 unravelled on Monday as both countries traded direct military strikes, plunging the region into fresh uncertainty on the 100th day of the conflict.
The flare-up quickly triggered concerns of a broader regional confrontation. While missiles and airstrikes dominated the day’s developments, international leaders, including US President Donald Trump, intensified diplomatic outreach in an effort to keep the crisis from escalating further.
The latest escalation began with Iran launching missiles towards Israel, prompting emergency alerts across several parts of the country. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said its air defence systems were activated after missiles were detected heading towards Israeli territory.
“Sirens were sounded in several areas across the country following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. The IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the military said.
Israeli authorities initially reported intercepting two incoming missiles but later warned that additional launches had been detected, suggesting the attack was more extensive than first believed.
Iran cites Lebanon strikes as trigger
As tensions escalated, Iran accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire through military operations in Lebanon.
The Commander of Khatam al-Anbiya alleged that Israeli actions in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh had crossed previously established red lines.
“The aggressive Zionist regime, through its repeated violations of the ceasefire, has continuously escalated its acts of aggression against the oppressed people of Lebanon,” the statement said, accusing Israel of carrying out attacks with US backing and alleging the use of prohibited weapons.
Iran also issued a warning that any expansion of Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon could trigger broader military retaliation.
“We had previously warned that if the crimes committed in Dahiyeh were expanded, we would strike targets within the occupied territories,” the statement added.
Israel launches strikes inside Iran
Israel responded within hours, with Iranian media reporting explosions in multiple cities, including Tehran, Isfahan and Tabriz.
According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, at least two explosions were heard in Tehran, while residents in Isfahan reported several blasts. State broadcaster IRIB later reported multiple explosions across different locations.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed Israeli forces used air-launched ballistic missiles during the operation.
Confirming the strikes, the IDF said Israeli aircraft targeted military infrastructure in western and central Iran.
“Dozens of Air Force fighter jets, guided by Military Intelligence, completed a short time ago an extensive strike against the strategic defence systems of the Iranian terror regime,” the Israeli military said.
The Israeli Air Force also reported attacks on targets linked to the petrochemical complex in Mahshahr, an important industrial and energy hub in southwestern Iran.
Iranian authorities later said residential areas in Tehran had not been hit.
Trump says diplomacy remains on track
Amid the military exchanges, US President Donald Trump projected confidence that diplomatic efforts would continue despite the violence.
In a telephone interview with the Financial Times, Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would ultimately have little choice but to follow Washington’s lead.
“He won’t have any choice. I call the shots. I call all the shots. He doesn’t call the shots,” Trump said.
The US President also argued that the latest escalation would not derail negotiations involving Tehran.
“It’s not going to have any impact on the deal,” he said.
Reports cited by Axios suggested Trump had privately urged Netanyahu not to retaliate further in an attempt to preserve what remained of the ceasefire arrangement.
Houthis join confrontation as shipping concerns grow
The conflict widened further after Yemen’s Houthi movement announced a projectile launch towards Israel and declared a maritime blockade in the Red Sea.
“We declare a complete and total ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea,” the group said in a Telegram statement.
The announcement came alongside reports of an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying concerns over global energy supplies and international shipping routes.
The developments renewed fears of disruption across two of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors.
World powers call for restraint
Governments across the world urged both sides to step back from further confrontation.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warned that renewed fighting threatened regional stability and international trade.
“The resumption of conflict between Iran and Israel is in no one’s interest. Both sides must show restraint and de-escalate immediately,” she wrote on X.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the latest military exchanges risked damaging already fragile diplomatic contacts with Washington.
“These events will fuel the chaotic situation in the diplomatic process,” Baghaei said.
India also expressed concern over the worsening situation.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said the renewed attacks were deeply worrying and highlighted the humanitarian and economic consequences of the conflict.
“This conflict has now lasted over 100 days and has already caused immense human suffering. It has also had a debilitating impact on the global economy and energy supplies,” the MEA said.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif similarly appealed for restraint, saying efforts to secure a diplomatic resolution should not be derailed at a critical stage.
Signs of a pause emerge
Despite the intense exchanges, indications of de-escalation emerged later in the day.
According to Tasnim News Agency, Iran announced a suspension of its military operation against Israel while warning that military action could resume if Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon continued.
CNN, citing two Israeli sources, reported that Israel had agreed to a request from the Trump administration to halt strikes on Iran. One source described the situation as “very fragile”.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, meanwhile, maintained that Tehran remained committed to both defence and diplomacy.
“Diplomacy and defence are the two wings of national power; we have neither abandoned the field nor the negotiating table,” he said in a post on X.
Even as missiles and airstrikes dominated the day, diplomatic contacts continued behind the scenes, with international mediators racing to prevent the conflict from widening into a full-scale regional war.