Final Missile Strike On Israel Launched Minutes Before Ceasefire, Says Iran

In Russia’s first official response to the ceasefire deal announced by former US President Donald Trump, Lavrov urged restraint in drawing conclusions, noting that available information remains incomplete.

“It is very difficult to make any final conclusions now and get a clear picture,” Lavrov said during a press briefing. “It’s reported that the Americans convinced Israel to agree to a ceasefire and to establish an indefinite truce, and that our Qatari friends played a similar role with regard to Tehran.”

Lavrov noted that despite the reported agreement, there were subsequent reports of continued attacks by both sides. “Let us not make any hasty conclusions based on fragmentary information,” he warned.

Russia, which signed a strategic partnership agreement with Iran in January, has condemned recent Israeli and US strikes on Iranian territory, calling them violations of international law. Moscow has repeatedly urged de-escalation and diplomatic dialogue in the region.

Al Jazeera reported that the missile attacks hit several areas, while The Times of Israel confirmed that emergency medics responded to an impact in Ashdod, a city in southern Israel. Additional reports indicated a missile strike in the Lachish region, located south of Jerusalem.

Earlier in the day, Reuters reported sightings of a missile flying over Jerusalem, followed by loud explosions heard in the surrounding areas.

The Israeli military confirmed that Iran had launched missiles toward Israeli territory and issued urgent warnings for civilians to seek shelter immediately upon hearing sirens.

CNN reported on Monday that large-scale airstrikes and powerful explosions were heard in northern Tehran. Iranian media published images and accounts suggesting that Evin Prison sustained damage during the attacks.

Reports indicate that the facility’s guard towers, administrative buildings, and court sections were among the areas struck.

Evin Prison has long been associated with the detention of political dissidents, journalists, and activists, and has frequently been the focus of international human rights concerns.

Neither Israeli nor Iranian officials have issued official statements confirming or denying the reported strike. The incident comes amid escalating military tensions between Israel and Iran, with both sides trading accusations of targeting civilian and strategic infrastructure.

Responding to a question regarding the possibility of a shift in Iran’s political leadership, Wadephul said, “on Both the United States and Israel have clearly stated that regime change is not their objective.”

He noted that Iran currently prefers to engage in talks with European nations but stressed that this approach is insufficient. “European officials have made it clear that meaningful progress cannot be achieved without the resumption of negotiations with the United States,” he said.

Wadephul’s comments come amid renewed diplomatic efforts to address mounting tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme and broader regional instability.

In remarks addressing the escalating situation in the region, Barrot reaffirmed France’s commitment to diplomacy and the NPT as the foundation for preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.

“A sustainable solution is only possible through dialogue and adherence to international agreements,” Barrot said, emphasising the need for all parties to return to negotiations in good faith.

France is a signatory to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and has consistently advocated for a diplomatic path to curb Iran’s nuclear activities while ensuring regional stability.