Middle East Tensions Escalate: Israel Confronts Yemen Missile Threat Following Iran Attack, Suspends Air Traffic

West Asia edged closer to another major conflict on Monday after Israel launched strikes on military targets inside Iran in response to an Iranian missile attack on Sunday, marking the first direct exchange between the two rivals since a temporary ceasefire took effect on April 8.

The latest escalation has heightened fears of a broader regional war, with Israel also facing missile threats from Yemen. Israeli defence systems were working to intercept incoming projectiles, according to local media reports.

Iran launched its attack on Israel late Sunday after warning of retaliation over repeated Israeli strikes in Lebanon. The Lebanon front has remained a major flashpoint in the wider regional conflict, with Tehran insisting that a lasting ceasefire there is essential for any future peace agreement with Washington.

Earlier on Sunday, Israel carried out strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, catching residents by surprise and reportedly doing so without prior warning. The action came despite requests from the United States to avoid further escalation. Israeli officials said the strikes followed rocket fire by Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters from Lebanon earlier in the day.

Trump Urges Restraint

Following Iran’s missile attack, US President Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate and instead allow diplomacy to proceed, Axios reported, citing a senior US official and an Israeli source familiar with the discussions.

The US official said Washington had not given Israel a “green light” for its strikes on Beirut.

Diplomatic Efforts Continue

According to Axios, Trump told Netanyahu that the US was “close to doing something good in terms of a deal” with Iran and warned against actions that could derail diplomatic progress.

Netanyahu reportedly pushed back against the request before ultimately signalling limited agreement, according to the report.

“We think the president bought a little bit of time. He is pretty adamant that we are close to a deal with Iran. I don’t think anything is imminent in terms of an Israeli strike,” the US official was quoted as saying.

The developments underscore the fragile state of regional diplomacy, with renewed military exchanges threatening to unravel efforts to secure a broader understanding between Washington and Tehran.