Israel Warns of Imminent Iranian Missile Attack Following Beirut Strike

TEHRAN (AP) — Israel has assessed that Iran is preparing to launch a missile attack on Israeli territory in direct retaliation for an airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut earlier this week. The assessment marks a significant escalation in tensions between Tehran and Jerusalem, raising fears of broad regional conflict.

Israeli officials stated Monday that Iranian military forces are mobilizing assets consistent with preparations for a coordinated strike against targets within Israel’s borders. While specific details regarding timing or scale were not disclosed publicly, the warning indicates heightened alert levels across Israeli defense agencies.

The anticipated retaliation follows an attack on June 10 in Dahieh, a densely populated southern suburb of Beirut where Hezbollah maintains strong influence. The airstrike reportedly targeted senior operatives linked to Iranian-backed militias operating out of Lebanon. Casualty figures remain unconfirmed as both sides have restricted access to the site for independent verification.

Iran has not officially confirmed plans for an attack but has issued repeated statements condemning actions against its allies in Lebanon and Syria. In a televised address on Sunday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any aggression against Iranian interests would be met with decisive force. Tehran stopped short of specifying whether such measures would involve direct military action from within Iran or proxy forces operating across the region.

Hezbollah has also signaled readiness to respond further, though its leadership has not explicitly endorsed an immediate escalation involving cross-border missile fire. The group’s political office in Beirut released a brief statement calling for unity among resistance factions and urging restraint until diplomatic channels are exhausted.

Regional allies of Israel have expressed concern over the potential fallout from renewed hostilities. Jordanian officials confirmed that their airspace remains closed to commercial flights as precautionary measures, while Saudi Arabia urged all parties to avoid actions that could destabilize the broader Middle East.

The United States has deployed additional naval assets to the eastern Mediterranean in recent days amid growing apprehension about a possible conflagration. Pentagon spokespersons declined comment on specific operational details but reiterated Washington’s commitment to Israel’s security and regional stability.

As of Monday afternoon, no missile launches have been detected heading toward Israeli territory from Iranian soil or its proxies. However, emergency sirens were activated in several northern communities near the Lebanese border as a precautionary measure following intelligence updates received late Sunday night.

Questions remain regarding whether Iran will launch an immediate strike or delay action to maximize political impact. Analysts note that Tehran has historically used threats of retaliation as leverage during periods of heightened tension without always executing large-scale military operations immediately.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation in a televised broadcast, stating that all defense systems are fully operational and ready to intercept any incoming projectiles. He emphasized Israel’s resolve to protect its citizens while avoiding unnecessary escalation.