Israel strikes 4 Iranian cities despite Trump's warning

The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran, which came into effect in April, has been shaken again by recent developments. The Israeli army announced that it targeted infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in the Dahiyeh region, south of the Lebanese capital, Beirut. At least two people lost their lives and 20 others were injured in the attack.

Following this development, missile attacks were carried out by Iran against Israel. The Tehran administration sent a message that a harsher response would be given if Israel continued its operations in Lebanon.

US President Donald Trump, in his first statement, expressed his dissatisfaction with both Iran's missile attacks and Israel's Beirut operation, calling on the parties to return to the negotiating table.

According to a report by Axios, Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to postpone the retaliatory attack during a phone call. The report claimed that Netanyahu accepted this request, albeit reluctantly.

However, despite these claims, Israel launched an attack on Iran at midnight. The Israeli army announced that targets in the western and central regions of Iran were hit. Iranian media reported that sounds of explosions were heard in Tehran, Tabriz, and Isfahan.

FIRST RESPONSE FROM THE HOUTHIS

The first response to Israel came from the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. The Israeli army announced that air defense systems were activated due to a missile launched from Yemen. Sirens wailed in Tel Aviv during the attack.

TRUMP: "THIS WILL HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE DEAL"

In his first assessment after the attacks, Trump stated, "There could have been a deal on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, but now these things are happening."

Later, speaking to the Financial Times, Trump argued that Iran's missile attacks would not affect the negotiations being conducted between Washington and Tehran.

"This will have no impact on the deal," said Trump, adding, "The deal will happen on its own terms or it won't, but these attacks will not change the result."

"WE WILL FINISH THE JOBS WE DID NOT FINISH MILITARILY"

Trump also responded to a question about how the US would act in the event of a potential deal failure.

"Either we go in and finish the rest of the jobs we didn't finish militarily, or we continue the blockade on Iran. This blockade has probably been more effective than any attack ever made against the country," said Trump, keeping the possibility of military intervention on the agenda.

The Financial Times interpreted these statements as the US not ruling out the option of a direct military operation.

THE PHONE CALL CONTROVERSY WITH NETANYAHU

Trump's statements came after a reported heated phone call between the two leaders.

According to the Axios report, Trump used harsh language toward Netanyahu during the conversation that took place days earlier. The report quoted a US official as saying that Trump told the Israeli leader, "If it weren't for me, you would be in jail."

In his interview with the Financial Times, Trump confirmed that the conversation took place and did not dispute the claims. It was reported that the two leaders spoke on the phone again following the Iranian attacks.

On the other hand, US officials speaking to Axios had claimed that Israel would not respond to Iran in the short term.

ATTACKS IN LEBANON CONTINUE

Despite various ceasefire attempts between Israel and Lebanon in recent times under US mediation, the Israeli army has continued its operations in Lebanon.

On Sunday, new attacks were carried out on areas south of Beirut where Hezbollah is influential.

According to the latest data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health, 3,613 people have lost their lives in attacks carried out by Israel since March 2.

The US Department of State announced after the fourth round of talks held on June 3 that Israel and Lebanon had reached an agreement on a "comprehensive ceasefire" on the condition that Hezbollah stop its attacks and withdraw its elements to the south of the Litani River. Hezbollah announced that it did not accept these conditions.

HARSH WARNING FROM IRAN

Iran carried out missile attacks on Israel on Sunday following the latest developments. The Tehran administration argues that one of the prerequisites for a possible deal with the US is that Israel accepts a permanent ceasefire.

In a statement made by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, it was emphasized that Israel's operations against Lebanon must end.

The statement said, "If attacks on Lebanon continue or if Iran's attacks are responded to, they will face more crushing and regrettable blows. Tonight's operation was merely a warning; if the attacks are repeated, the responses will be much more comprehensive and will cover all American-Zionist targets in the region."

The Israeli press reported that Iran launched approximately 10 ballistic missiles.

The Israeli army announced about an hour after the attack that the threat level had ended and that citizens could leave the shelters.

EXPLOSIONS IN IRANIAN CITIES

Iranian state television announced that an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down in the city of Tabriz in East Azerbaijan province. No details were shared regarding the incident.

During the night, the Israeli army announced that it had carried out attacks on the western and central regions of Iran with fighter jets.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps also included in a written statement, "The Zionist enemy carried out attacks on some targets on our country's soil using air-launched ballistic missiles."

Iranian media reported that sounds of explosions were heard in the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, and Karaj. It was claimed that the areas targeted included the vicinity of the nuclear facility in Isfahan.

Towards morning, the Israeli army announced that new missile launches from Iran were continuing.

News Source: 12punto