Collector
Iran fires missiles into Israel, regional countries close airspace | Collector
Iran fires missiles into Israel, regional countries close airspace
Daily Finland

Iran fires missiles into Israel, regional countries close airspace

The Israeli military said Sunday night that Iran has so far fired four missile barrages towards the country, reported Xinhua. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The missiles have triggered sirens across northern Israel. According to CNN, Iran fired at least 10 ballistic missiles toward Israel in at least three separate waves on Sunday. The Israeli military said all of the missiles were intercepted. Two Israeli sources cited by CNN said Israel would deliver a "powerful" response to the attack, raising concerns about further escalation in the region. Effi Defrin, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, said Sunday that Iran has made "a grave mistake" by firing missiles at Israel, adding that the military is prepared for more possible missiles. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir is holding a situational assessment and "approving plans for the next steps," Defrin said, without elaborating. Following the Iranian attacks, Israel's Home Front Command tightened civil defense restrictions across the country, banning gatherings of more than 200 people in open areas. Indoor gatherings are limited to up to 500 people in venues with a standard protected space, while schools and beaches are also closed, it said, noting that the instructions took effect immediately. The Israeli military also instructed civilians to remain near shelters and safe rooms, citing fears of further missile fire. Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said Sunday in a statement that it targeted Israel's Ramat David Airbase with ballistic missiles in response to its "widespread crimes" in Lebanon. According to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, Chief Commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Ali Abdollahi said Sunday night that if Israel expands its attacks on southern Lebanon and Dahieh district south of the Lebanese capital Beirut, or responds to Iran's actions, it will face more "crushing and regret-inducing blows." Iran's attacks came after Israel launched airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs earlier in the day, which Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Center said killed at least two people and injured 20 others. Also on Sunday, Jordanian Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Al Momani said on the social media platform X that Jordan's airspace was breached by a number of missiles at night. Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah, an ally of Iran, threatened on Sunday night to attack U.S. military bases and interests if the United States strikes Iran, while Yemen's Houthi group on Sunday vowed support for the Iranian attacks against Israel. Amidst the renewed regional tensions, Iraq announced on Sunday night the temporary closure of its airspace to all flights for 72 hours as a precautionary measure. Syria announced the temporary closure of its southern air routes for 12 hours and the suspension of operations at Damascus International Airport. According to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, Iran also announced on Sunday night the closure of its western airspace until further notice. Trump urges Iran to halt missile launches, calls Israel not to retaliate U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday urged Iran to stop launching missiles at Israel and return to negotiations after Tehran fired a fresh barrage of ballistic missiles. "What I would suggest to Iran: You've shot your missiles, that's enough," Trump told Fox News. "Get back to the table and make a deal." Trump also claimed that Washington and Tehran had been close to reaching an agreement before Iran launched the missiles earlier in the day. "We're very close. I would say an agreement would be signed on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of this coming week. And now this takes place," he said. "It's certainly not going to help negotiations," Trump said. In another interview with U.S. media outlet Axios, Trump said he will call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and press him not to retaliate for Iran's missile attack. "I am going to call Bibi right now and tell him not to retaliate. Each of them had their fun. Israel had its strike, and Iran had its strike. We don't need another one," Trump said. Trump, Netanyahu hold telephone conversation after Iranian missile fire U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone on Sunday after Iran fired missile barrages at Israel in response to airstrikes in Beirut, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported. Neither Netanyahu's nor Trump's office immediately commented on the call. Before the call, Trump told Israel's Channel 12 News that he would tell Netanyahu not to strike back because he did not want U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations to collapse. Israeli airstrike hits apartments in Beirut's southern suburbs The Israeli air force began a series of airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburb in Lebanon on Sunday afternoon, Israel's military said in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said they instructed to launch the strikes "in response" to Hezbollah fire toward Israel. Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed TV reported that an Israeli airstrike involving three missiles targeted two apartments near the Aytam gas station junction toward Tahwitat al-Ghadir in Beirut's southern suburbs. Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said it intercepted two rockets that crossed into Israeli territory, triggering sirens in Yiftah and Ramot Naftali near the Lebanese border. On Sunday morning, the military said that a "suspicious aerial target" was identified in an area of southern Lebanon where Israeli forces were still deployed and operating, but it was unable to intercept. No injuries were reported. The developments came despite Israel and Lebanon agreeing on Wednesday to implement a ceasefire following trilateral negotiations in Washington.

Go to News Site