Iran and Israel Trade Strikes in Fresh Escalation of Middle East War
Iran and Israel have traded attacks after pausing direct strikes in April. It's an escalation in the Middle East war that's come despite objections from US President Donald Trump, who says he earlier told Israel not to respond.
Missile Strikes Escalate Conflict Between Iran and Israel
REPORTER:
A wave of Iranian missiles thunders into the sky—headed towards Israel.
REPORTER:
Israel’s defenses kick in—here in the northern city of Haifa, sirens wail, warning of the incoming barrage. War in the Middle East—never ended, but at least checked by ceasefires, erupts again. The US, Israel’s partner in this war, has sought a deal to end the fighting. And, that “deal” might now be in jeopardy.
REPORTER:
Iranians gathered in the capital Tehran to celebrate as missiles flew overhead. Iran had held off on attacking Israel since April. But Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah have continued hitting one another along a second front in Lebanon. New Israeli attacks near the Lebanese capital Beirut have pushed Iran to strike--and sparked feelings of solidarity in this crowd.
Elham Ghasemian (RALLY ATTENDEE):
I am very, very happy and I hope that if they truly respond, the strikes will be more crushing, because we truly must stand behind the people of Lebanon.
REPORTER:
Iran’s military is warning Israel to halt strikes in Lebanon—and not to retaliate to Sunday’s missile barrage.
Ebrahim Zolfaghari (IRANIAN MILITARY HQ SPOKESPERSON):
The Zionist army must stop its attacks on southern Lebanon and its suburbs. If it expands its attacks in this region or retaliates against Iran's actions, it will suffer even more bitter setbacks, and destructive attacks will be launched against the regime and its supporters.
REPORTER:
Even US President Donald Trump, who along with Israel launched the first strikes in the war, says he’s told Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu not to hit back at Iran in hopes of saving a possible peace deal. Iran has said Lebanon must be included in any final settlement.
REPORTER:
But Israel has not listened to Trump, striking parts of western and central Iran. The spokesperson for its army called Iran’s missile barrage a “grave mistake.” And he says Israeli operations in Lebanon are meant to protect residents of northern Israel—and they won’t stop.
Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin (ISRAELI ARMY SPOKESPERSON):
The Israel Defense Forces will continue to operate across all of Lebanon and will deepen the hit to the Hezbollah terror organization. We will not allow fire toward the citizens of the state of Israel to continue.
REPORTER:
Meanwhile, Israel’s national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir seems keen to retaliate, writing on his X account—quote-- “Tonight, Tehran must burn”.
REPORTER:
As missiles fill the skies again, so do questions about whether the US and Israel will hold to a delicate ceasefire, how far the US can influence Israeli moves—and whether this war really can end as soon as some like Donald Trump say it will.
Alex Chen and John Van Trieste for TaiwanPlus.
