Israel Strikes Military Targets in Iran Following Missile Exchange; U.S. Seeks De-Escalation

Regional tensions escalated sharply over the last 24 hours as Israel launched a series of airstrikes against military targets across western and central Iran, including sites near Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, and Karaj. The operation was framed as a direct retaliation for Iranian missile fire directed at Israel earlier in the week, marking the first major breach of the ceasefire framework established in April. Following the strikes, Iran temporarily shuttered the airspace around Tehran's primary international airport, and the IRGC issued warnings of further escalation should the conflict continue to spread through regional proxies like Hezbollah in Lebanon. In Washington, President Donald Trump has signaled a preference for operational de-escalation, reportedly urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid strikes that could jeopardize a potential 'final deal' with Tehran. According to recent reports, the U.S. informed Israel it would not participate in retaliatory kinetic actions, as the administration remains focused on a diplomatic track involving enriched uranium limits, frozen assets, and control over the Strait of Hormuz. While military activity has intensified between Israel and Iran, there have been no confirmed U.S. military strikes or new formal sanctions packages announced in the last 24 hours. The situation remains fluid, with global energy markets closely monitoring the risks to maritime security in the Persian Gulf. Diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes, though no technical breakthroughs regarding Iran's nuclear file have been verified by international observers.