IRAN and Israel continued to trade fire today in their first attacks since the ceasefire deal was struck two months ago to halt the illegal and unprovoked war unleashed by the United States and Israel.

The resumption of hostilities threatens to drag the Middle East back into a full-scale war.

Iran launched waves of attacks on Israel on Monday, and Israel launched strikes on central and western Iran. 

Iranian television reported the sound of explosions being heard in Isfahan, Karaj, Tabriz and Tehran. 

The Fars and Mehr news agencies said that Israeli strikes hit a petrochemical factory in the city of Mahshahr in Khuzestan province. 

They did not elaborate on any damage. The Israeli military later confirmed the strike on the petrochemical plant and also said it targeted lorry-based missile launchers.

Israel said that its strikes were in response to an Iranian missile attack. 

Tehran had warned on Sunday it would retaliate after Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs without warning. When Israel struck back, Iran fired again.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it had targeted two military bases in Israel, describing the attacks as being part of Operation Nasr, or “Victory.” 

The Guard said it launched the missiles after Israel targeted radar sites in three areas of Iran.

Israel has also continued to strike southern Lebanon where it claims to be targeting Hezbollah sites and is continuing its invasion of that country. 

Yemen’s Houthi rebels, another Iranian ally, fired at Israel on Monday and warned they would target Israel-affiliated ships in the Red Sea.

In his first comments since the exchange of fire, US President Donald Trump wrote online: “Israel and Iran must immediately stop shooting.”

Two regional officials said concerted diplomatic efforts were under way on Monday to salvage the ceasefire between Iran and the US.

Officials from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and Qatar have urged the Trump administration to pressure Israel to rein in its strikes on Iran and Beirut. 

The officials say neighbouring countries have also urged Iran to stop attacks on Israel.

Some observers have said that the move appeared to be a bid by the Israelis to scupper the prospects of a peace deal between Iran and the US.

But Iran said the US “bears responsibility” for the Israeli attacks.

“No-one believes that the Israeli regime would take any action without co-ordination with the US,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said during a briefing with journalists in Tehran.