Late on June 7 local time (early morning of June 8 Beijing time), Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles in three waves at the Ramat-David Air Base in northern Israel, marking the second direct strike on Israeli soil in two months. Air raid sirens sounded across Israel, and residents of northern cities such as Haifa witnessed flashes of light from intercepting missiles.
An official Iranian statement claimed the strike was a warning retaliatory attack, triggered by Israel's uncoordinated airstrike on a Hezbollah command center in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, violating the temporary ceasefire agreement reached in April. Iran warned that if the Israeli military continues to expand its operations in Lebanon, subsequent strikes will cover all US and Israeli military targets in the Middle East.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) immediately reported that its nationwide air defense system was activated, and all incoming ballistic missiles were successfully intercepted. There were no serious injuries reported on Israeli soil, with only sporadic fires caused by missile debris in open areas in the north. The IDF held an emergency situation assessment meeting, with Chief of the General Staff Zamir stating that a full retaliatory plan had been drafted and was awaiting cabinet approval. Several officials signaled a "strong retaliation."
The United States intervened urgently to mediate, with Trump publicly urging Iran to stop and simultaneously calling Netanyahu to dissuade Israel from a large-scale retaliation, fearing that the conflict would completely jeopardize the nearly finalized US-Iran nuclear negotiations. The market reacted sharply in unison, with Brent crude oil surging to nearly $97, and shipping risk aversion in the Strait of Hormuz soaring, prompting merchant ships from many countries to temporarily divert their routes.
