The United States carried out a series of overnight strikes against Iranian military targets after Iran launched a direct ballistic missile attack on U.S. forces stationed in Jordan earlier this week. President Donald Trump had pledged a strong response, and U.S. Central Command announced that dozens of targets across southern Iran were hit, including military command centers, missile and drone infrastructure, and coastal defense facilities.
U.S. officials emphasized that while the operation was larger than recent strikes, it does not signal a return to full-scale combat operations. Iran’s direct attack effectively ended the brief pause in hostilities that had been intended to create space for diplomacy.
In northern Israel, Hezbollah carried out its first attack since the June ceasefire agreement, striking an unmanned Israeli armored bulldozer with a drone inside the security buffer zone in southern Lebanon. No injuries were reported.
The attack comes just days before negotiations are scheduled to resume in Rome on Israel’s withdrawal from the buffer zone, Hezbollah’s disarmament, and a broader peace arrangement. Israel is reportedly weighing its response while reaffirming that IDF forces will continue preventing Hezbollah from reestablishing military positions along the border.
Israeli intelligence also assesses that dozens of Hezbollah operatives remain inside an extensive underground bunker complex near Nabatieh. Under the ceasefire framework, responsibility for addressing these positions has been left to the Lebanese Armed Forces, limiting Israel’s freedom of action.
While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the Trump administration this week in Washington, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid also traveled to the U.S. to attend the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham. During his visit, Lapid met with Democratic senators, including several who recently supported efforts to restrict arms sales to Israel.
Lapid urged lawmakers to maintain bipartisan support for Israel, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation between Israel and the Democratic Party despite ongoing policy disagreements.
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