Iran fires missiles at Israel after IDF strike on Beirut, Trump urges Netanyahu to stand down
Iran launched multiple waves of missiles at Israel on Sunday evening, triggering sirens for the first time since the April ceasefire, in retaliation for an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs. President Trump immediately urged both sides to de-escalate and told Prime Minister Netanyahu not to retaliate.
The Beirut strike
Tensions escalated sharply on Sunday evening when the Israel Defense Forces struck two buildings in the Dahiyeh district of southern Beirut. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the target as a command center for militants. The area, a known Hezbollah stronghold, had been struck only twice since mid-April. Shortly after the raid, Israel issued an evacuation order for large parts of the southern Lebanese city of Tyre and surrounding areas.
Iran's missile response
In retaliation, Iran launched successive waves of missiles toward Israel, setting off air raid sirens across the country for the first time since the April truce. Sirens were also reported in several Gulf states. IDF spokesperson Effi Defrin said the military was prepared. "The terrorist Iranian regime launched missiles toward Israel, we were ready. The regime made a grave mistake by deciding to attack us again, choosing terrorism once more," Defrin stated. The IDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, convened a situational assessment with senior commanders to approve operational plans.
The terrorist Iranian regime launched missiles toward Israel, we were ready. The regime made a grave mistake by deciding to attack us again, choosing terrorism once more.
Iranian officials threaten further action
Iranian officials framed the missile barrage as a direct response to the Beirut attack. The military command said Israel had "crossed all red lines." Member of Parliament Ebrahim Rezaei posted on X: "We will give a firm and painful response to the Zionist regime's attack on Dahiyeh. These rabid dogs must be punished and put in their place. Tonight, watch the sky of the occupied territories." Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf extended the threat to Washington, declaring that U.S. and Israeli bases and assets in the region were now "legitimate targets" due to the naval blockade on Iran and the American green light for the Beirut operation. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted an image of the Iranian and Lebanese flags together, signaling solidarity with Lebanon.
We will give a firm and painful response to the Zionist regime's attack on Dahiyeh. These rabid dogs must be punished and put in their place. Tonight, watch the sky of the occupied territories.
Trump intervenes to halt escalation
President Donald Trump moved quickly to contain the crisis. Speaking on Fox News, he addressed Iran directly: "You launched your missiles, that's enough." He urged Tehran to return to negotiations and reach a deal. In a subsequent phone call with Netanyahu, Trump told the prime minister to hold off on any retaliatory strike because "we are close to doing something good in terms of a deal," according to a senior U.S. official. Netanyahu pushed back but ultimately gave what the official described as a "pseudo agreement" to stand down. The call was reportedly calmer than a tense exchange between the two leaders the previous week.
You launched your missiles, that's enough.
The diplomatic backdrop
The exchange of fire comes as the war in Iran reaches its 100th day and negotiations remain stalled. Trump, in an interview recorded Friday in Wisconsin, had claimed to be "very close" to a deal with Tehran. The critical sticking point remains Iran's demand for the immediate release of $24 billion in frozen assets, a condition Trump has so far rejected, saying it would happen "at a later time" if Iran behaves well. The U.S. official stressed that the administration did not give a green light for the Israeli strike in Beirut. Trump later told the Financial Times that Netanyahu "won't have any choice" but to accept whatever deal the U.S. secures, adding: "I call the shots. I call all the shots. He doesn't call the shots."
- IDF strikes two buildings in Dahiyeh, southern Beirut, targeting a militant command center.
- Israel issues evacuation order for large parts of Tyre and surrounding areas in southern Lebanon.
- Iran launches successive waves of missiles toward Israel; sirens sound across Israel and Gulf states.
- Trump tells Fox News Iran should stop and return to negotiations; later calls Netanyahu urging no retaliation.
- U.S. official says Netanyahu 'pseudo agreed' to stand down; no Israeli strike is imminent.
Regional fallout
Sirens sounded in multiple Gulf countries as the missiles crossed the region. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir threatened that "Tehran must burn," while Israeli fighter jets took off for potential counterstrikes in Iran. The IDF reinforced its defensive posture and remained on high alert, ready for a wide range of defensive and offensive scenarios. The military urged the public to remain vigilant and follow Home Front Command instructions. The U.S. official assessed that the president had "bought a little bit of time" and that nothing was imminent in terms of an Israeli strike.
