June 8 (THEWILL) — The Middle East edged closer to renewed regional turmoil on Monday after Israel bombed Iran’s Mahshahr Petrochemical Complex and Tehran responded with missile strikes targeting several locations across Israel, intensifying fears that the fragile ceasefire arrangement reached earlier has collapsed.
The latest escalation saw Israeli warplanes launch attacks on Iran’s petrochemical infrastructure and military-linked targets, while Iranian missiles triggered air raid sirens across several Israeli cities in one of the most serious confrontations since a temporary truce sought to halt weeks of hostilities.
Israeli authorities said two waves of Iranian missiles were launched toward the country, with sirens activated in several central and southern districts, including Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beersheba, and Jerusalem, as well as communities south of Tel Aviv.
Residents in parts of central Israel reported hearing explosions as Israeli air defence systems attempted to intercept incoming projectiles.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later confirmed carrying out strikes on facilities within the Mahshahr Petrochemical Complex in southwestern Iran, along with what it described as military infrastructure in central and western areas of the country.
Iranian state media reported explosions in Tehran, Isfahan, Karaj, and Tabriz following the attacks, although officials did not immediately provide details regarding casualties or the extent of the damage.
Authorities also temporarily closed the airspace surrounding Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport after the strikes.
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard accused Israel of using air-launched ballistic missiles during Monday’s operation.
The renewed exchange marked one of the most serious escalations since an April ceasefire agreement aimed at creating room for diplomatic negotiations and reducing the risk of broader conflict across the region.
Additional concerns over a possible expansion of the crisis emerged after Israeli authorities reported that a missile had also been launched toward Israel from Yemen earlier on Monday.
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