Israel strikes Iranian military targets, explosions heard in Tehran

2026-06-08

The Israeli military said on the 8th that it had attacked military targets in western and central Iran. Middle East media reported that explosions were heard in the capital Tehran, the western city of Tabriz and the central city of Isfahan.

Israel had said on the 7th that it came under multiple missile attacks from Iran. The strikes are believed to have been retaliation for attacks on the pro-Iranian group Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the exchange between the two sides has continued.

Iran's response and U.S. moves

This was the first time Iran had attacked Israel since the temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect in April. Sirens sounded across Israel, and civilians were ordered to evacuate to shelters. The Israeli military said all missiles launched were intercepted.

According to Iranian media, the Revolutionary Guard issued a statement calling the latest attack a 'warning'. It said the scope of retaliation would be widened if Israeli attacks on Lebanon continued.

Axios reported that U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urged him to refrain from retaliatory strikes on Iran. Netanyahu was said to have effectively agreed to exercise restraint, but the attacks apparently did not stop.

Lebanon remains tense

The Israeli military attacked the southern suburbs of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on the 7th. In a statement, Netanyahu said the strike was retaliation for Hezbollah attacks and that it targeted the group's headquarters. The southern suburbs of Beirut are said to house Hezbollah's command functions.

Netanyahu had warned Hezbollah that attacks on its territory or communities would not be tolerated and that Israel would respond if attacked.

Iran is calling for a ceasefire in Lebanon as a condition for ending its fighting with the United States. The U.S. State Department announced a ceasefire on the 3rd, but hostilities are in fact continuing. Hezbollah leader Sheikh Qassem has also said he will 'continue resistance', and U.S.-Iran talks are stalled.

On the 7th, Trump told Fox News: 'You fired missiles. Isn't that enough? Go back to the negotiating table.'

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held phone talks on the 7th with Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir, who is acting as a mediator in negotiations with the United States, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, among others. They are believed to have discussed how to respond to the attack on Israel.

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