Iranian official says Israeli airstrike hit petrochemical company in southwest

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter said on Monday that Israel was targeting Iranian surface-to-surface missile launch sites and infrastructure facilities unrelated to the energy sector.

“Israel is now targeting Iranian surface-to-surface missile launch sites, as well as infrastructure facilities unrelated to the energy sector,” he wrote on X.

Leiter said Israel would strike Hezbollah command centers in Dahieh, the group’s stronghold in southern Beirut, if the Iran-backed group fired at Israel.

“The people of Lebanon have rejected Iran’s proxy, Hizballah, and have told Iran to get out of their country,” he said. “Everyone has had enough of this maniacal Iranian regime.”

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said on Monday that Iran fired missiles at Israel overnight and early in the morning, which were intercepted.

“Iran & its proxy agents of evil want to incinerate America & Israel. Mothership of Satan is in Tehran,” he wrote in a post on X.

Oil prices surged after reports of fresh strikes in the Middle East raised concerns about the security of energy supplies and shipping routes.

Global benchmark Brent crude rose 3.63% to $96.75 a barrel in the hour following the reports.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate climbed 3.35% to $93.89 a barrel.

Iran's state broadcaster IRIB cited a military official as denying reports that Iran had launched an attack on Al Kharj Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

"Iran has not fired any shots" at the base, the official said, according to IRIB.

The denial came in response to reports of an explosion at the facility and followed an earlier warning issued by Saudi Civil Defence about a potential danger in Al Kharj Governorate.

Air raid sirens sounded across central Israel, including the Tel Aviv metropolitan area and Jerusalem, following reports of a missile launch from Yemen, according to Channel 12.

The broadcaster said alerts were activated across Gush Dan and other parts of central Israel as air defense systems responded to the threat.

Channel 12 also reported that Israeli airspace was temporarily closed.