Israel and Iran Trade Overnight Strikes as Trump Says Peace Is Within Reach
Israel and Iran exchanged heavy fire overnight into Sunday, leaving scores dead, while U.S. President Donald Trump stated the conflict could be resolved quickly — warning Tehran not to target American assets.
Israeli emergency teams scoured the debris of bombed residential areas, searching for survivors. Authorities confirmed at least 10 deaths, including children. Meanwhile, Iran reported 138 fatalities from Israeli airstrikes since Friday, including 60 on Saturday alone, when a missile brought down a 14-story residential tower in Tehran.
As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump signaled that Israel’s military campaign would escalate, the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings to Iranians near military-related sites. An official noted Israel has many more targets in Iran and declined to specify the campaign’s duration. Saturday’s attacks included dual-use fuel facilities supporting both military and nuclear functions.
Trump praised Israel’s offensive while denying any U.S. involvement, cautioning Iran against retaliating against American interests.
“If Iran attacks us in any way, the full might of the U.S. military will be unleashed,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Still, we can broker a quick peace deal to end this bloodshed.”
While the U.S. was attempting to negotiate a deal to restrict Iran’s nuclear ambitions — which Tehran insists are peaceful, despite Israeli concerns — Trump did not provide details about any agreement.
Talks Disrupted, Accusations Fly
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi claimed Israel’s strikes aimed to sabotage planned nuclear negotiations, originally scheduled for Sunday in Oman. Araqchi also accused Washington of backing the Israeli operation, asserting Iran’s response was defensive.
While Iran maintains it complies with nuclear norms, the International Atomic Energy Agency declared it in violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) on Thursday.
Israeli officials acknowledged the strikes likely won’t dismantle Iran’s program outright but hope they may push toward a comprehensive U.S.-Iran nuclear deal.
Iran confirmed Israel had hit oil infrastructure in Tehran, including the Shahran oil depot and an oil refinery, causing fires and limited damage. It also reported minor damage at the Iranian defense ministry and said two suspected Mossad agents were arrested in Alborz province.
Missile Strikes Rattle Israel
Iran launched a barrage of missiles beginning late Saturday. Sirens wailed across Israeli cities including Jerusalem and Haifa, sending millions to shelters. Additional barrages followed in the early hours, with loud explosions in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as air defense systems were activated.
In a significant escalation, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for firing ballistic missiles at Jaffa, marking the first confirmed involvement of an Iranian proxy.
Iran’s regional allies — previously strongholds in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iraq — have been weakened by prolonged conflicts, limiting Iran’s capacity for broader retaliation. Israeli forces reported striking the Houthis’ chief of staff in response.
Residential Devastation and Energy Targets Hit
Iranian missiles struck several towns in Israel, killing at least 13 people and injuring over 350. Among the dead were three children and four women from the Arab town of Tamra, including a mother and her daughters. A missile also devastated an apartment cluster in Bat Yam, killing six.
In Iran, the South Pars gas field — the world’s largest — saw partial shutdowns after Israeli missiles ignited a fire. Though Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure was initially spared, this marks the first apparent strike on its energy facilities.
Friday’s oil market response was swift, with crude prices jumping 9% on fears of supply disruptions. While Tel Aviv’s stock market showed modest gains on Sunday, Saudi shares dropped 1.5%.
As Netanyahu pledged continued military action and urged Iranians to oppose their government, global concerns intensified over the possibility of a prolonged regional conflict drawing in foreign powers.
