Israel, Iran Trade Fire Despite Trump’s Call for Restraint

Israel and Iran exchanged fresh attacks on Monday, sharply testing a fragile ceasefire and heightening fears of a wider regional escalation in the Middle East.

 

The renewed hostilities included missile exchanges and reported strikes on an Iranian petrochemical facility, coming just hours after United States President Donald Trump urged Israel to avoid retaliation against Tehran.

 

In Jerusalem, residents reported hearing explosions as Israeli air defence systems intercepted incoming Iranian missiles. The Israeli military said it was responding to a new wave of Iranian attacks, though it confirmed no casualties from the intercepted missiles.

 

Iran had earlier launched 11 missiles toward Israel on Sunday, all of which were intercepted according to Israeli authorities.

 

Israeli and Iranian media reports also confirmed that Israel struck a petrochemical facility in Mahshahr in southwestern Iran on Monday, escalating the tit-for-tat exchanges.

 

Trump, according to reports, attempted to de-escalate tensions by contacting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urging restraint, saying there was no need for further retaliation after both sides had already exchanged strikes.

 

“Israel had its strike and Iran had its strike. We don’t need another one,” Trump was quoted as saying.

 

He also advised Iran to return to negotiations, stating that continued escalation would only worsen the conflict.

 

However, diplomatic efforts appeared strained as Iran insisted that any lasting agreement must include an end to Israel’s military operations in Lebanon, where fighting involving Hezbollah has intensified.

 

Iranian officials accused Israel of provoking wider conflict following strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs, which killed at least two people and injured 20 others, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

 

Israel said the Beirut strike targeted a militant command centre in response to Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel, while Hezbollah confirmed it had launched missiles and drones at Israeli military positions.

 

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards described its latest missile attack as a “warning,” adding that further Israeli strikes could trigger broader retaliation across US and Israeli-linked targets in the region.

 

The escalation also extended to Iraq, where Iran reportedly carried out strikes on targets in the Kurdistan region, further raising tensions.

 

Meanwhile, missile alerts were also reported in Israel following a suspected launch from Yemen, underscoring the widening regional dimensions of the conflict.

 

The renewed violence sent global oil prices higher amid fears of disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route that has been heavily affected by the ongoing tensions.

 

Diplomatic efforts continued behind the scenes, including reported mediation attempts involving Pakistan, which said it had delivered messages between Iranian and US officials.

 

Despite these efforts, both sides remain entrenched, with Iran demanding concessions on frozen assets and regional conflicts, while the US insists on conditions before any sanctions relief.