Israel struck military targets inside Iran on June 8, 2026, retaliating for a barrage of 11 ballistic missiles that hit northern Israel the day before. The operation marks the first direct Israeli military action against Iran since a US-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 8, making the two-month pause in hostilities look increasingly fragile.

What happened

Israeli forces targeted surface-to-surface missile launch facilities and other military infrastructure across central and western Iran. Israeli officials confirmed the strikes focused on non-energy infrastructure, a notable distinction suggesting a deliberate effort to avoid triggering a global oil supply shock.

The Iranian provocation came first. On June 7,…